North front of Southampton House

This drawing shows the north front of Southampton House (later Bedford House) in Bloomsbury, in which Civil War fortifications remain in its grounds. In the foreground is an earthwork bank or rampart which joins two bastions. These fortifications were built in 1642-1643 and would have looked out northwards towards open ground in Hampstead and Highgate.
The Civil War fortifications around London were built in two phases: in 1642 ditches and ramparts were built to protect the roads going into the City. In 1643, 18 miles of trenches were built, which linked 24 forts and redoubts around London. This work included the fortifications at Southampton House. Thousands of Londoners, including women and children, were called upon to help complete London’s defences. In the event, the nearest actual fighting came to London was Turnham Green, where Parliamentary troops confronted Royalists in November 1642.
It is a delicate drawing on vellum by an unknown artist.