This space was a common space even before it was called Leicester Square. In 1635 2nd Earl of Leicester built himself a large house (Leicester House) on the plot he bought and the rest of the space was enclosed, depriving inhabitants of the common land. King Charles I appointed three members of the privy council to arbitrate and they forced Lord Leicester to left part of his land open for the public. (previous | next | back to album | 2020:02:10 13:54:48 | 35% of an album)