- Camden Park Rd, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 5HJ, United Kingdom
1814-1821: A Diplomatic Hub
The period immediately after the Bonar murders has had scant attention from us to date but recent research has highlighted what a very significant few years this was for the house as it provided an elegant and convenient backdrop for international diplomacy. Over these years, politicians, royalty and social influencers were entertained behind the Camden Place walls.
The rear of the Georgian Camden Place
A perfect house for diplomats
In this image of the house, the Georgian building can be seen before the 'Frenchification' of the 1860's. The six-over-six Georgian windows have not yet been replaced by the French doors and shutters we still have today. The main entrance introduced by Lord Camden has been replaced by the Bonar bow windows - giving the Oval Room its unique shape.
Following the shocking murder of Thomson and Anne Bonar by their footman, Phillip Nicholson, in May 1813, the Bonar family, understandably chose to let the house rather than occupy it themselves.
Until recently we have not appreciated how significant the house was over the next years. Research undertaken by Ian Wakeling (son of golf club members, Shirley and John ) has started to correct that omission.
Ian identified that over the next eight years, Camden Place was leased in turn to three distinguished foreign ambassadors. This was during a period that saw the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the reshaping of Europe, these diplomatic tenants welcomed royalty, military heroes, politicians and leading members of fashionable society to Chislehurst. For the second time Camden Place became the setting forpolitical discussion and international diplomacy.
At the time, Chislehurst offered an attractive combination of rural tranquillity and easy access to London. Before the arrival of the railways, it was still possible to travel to and from the capital within a day. But the deciding attraction may have been Camden Place’s proximity to Wollet Hall at North Cray (now Loring Hall), the country residence of Lord Castlereagh then, Britain’s Foreign Secretary. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Stewart,_Viscount_CastlereaghThis Wikipedia page includes a portrait of Castleragh by Sir Thomas Lawrence the same artist who painted von Lieven’s portrait.
Social gatherings provided valuable opportunities for informal diplomatic discussion away from the formality of Whitehall and St James’s.The first two ambassadors who occupied Camden Place represented Austria, one of the principal powers in Europe. Austria were defeated at Austerlitz by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1805, after which they were forced to make peace with France and give concessions.Their presence links the house directly to the diplomatic efforts led by Prince Klemens von Metternich, whose influence helped shape post-war Europe. Ironically, Bonapartes nephew would live in these rooms after France’s defeat in the Franco Prussian War.
The third ambassador was from Russia.
Count Maximilian von Merveldt
The first diplomatic tenant was Count Maximilian von Merveldt, the Austrian Ambassador to Britain. A distinguished soldier and veteran of the Habsburg army, Merveldt took up residence at Camden Place sometime during 1814.
His stay was brief. In November 1814 he hosted a grand dinner at the house, but less than a year later, in July 1815, he died suddenly in London. Soon afterwards Camden Place was advertised to let.
1813
Brutal murder of the Bonars
On May 31st Thomson and Anne Bonar were murdered in their beds at Camden Place by their footman, Phillip Nicholson.
1814
The Austrian Ambassador leases Camden Place
Count Maximilian von Merveldt presents his credentials as Austrian Ambassador to the Prince Regent at Carlton House and leases Camden Place. In November he hosts a grand dinner at Camden Place. On 4th July 1815 the Ambassador dies suddenly, in London.
1815
Camden Place is once more available to let
Prince Paul Anton Esterházy
Merveldt’s successor was Prince Paul Anton Esterházy, one of the most colourful diplomats of the age.
A member of one of Hungary’s wealthiest aristocratic families, Esterházy was renowned for his immense fortune and lavish lifestyle. He later became famous for attending Queen Victoria’s coronation wearing a suit adorned with real diamonds.
Under Prince and Princess Esterházy, Camden Place became a vibrant social venue. Distinguished guests included members of the royal family, Lord Castlereagh, foreign ambassadors, and many of the leading figures of Regency society. The visit of the Prince Regent on the 22nd October 1816 made him the most important guest during the the ambassadorial period. While not yet George IV, in 1816 the Prince Regent was performing all the duties of king, while his father George III was in his final descent into madness, living in total seclusion at Windsor Castle.
Entertainments at the house featured grand dinners, French theatre and even a German opera performed by Princess Esterházy herself.
1814
The new Austrian Ambassador leases Camden Place
On the 24 October 1815 Prince Paul Anton Esterházy presents his credentials as Austrian Ambassador.
1816-1817
Twelve months of entertaining
23rd May 1816 Prince Esterházy arrives at Camden Place with six carriages. The Duke of Cumberland visits the following day. On the 28 August 1816 Esterházy entertains Lord and Lady Castlereagh, Viscount Sydney and the Misses Townshend. On 15 October 1816 there is a grand entertainment featuring a French play and on the 22nd of the month, the Prince Regent attends an entertainment at the house and the Princess Esterházy performs in a German opera, On the 20 March 1817 Esterházy hosts a gathering attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland, foreign ambassadors and the Earl and Countess Bathurst.
Count Christoph von Lieven
The final ambassadorial tenant was Count Christoph von Lieven, the Russian Ambassador to Britain. He was was appointed Ambassador to the Court of St. James in 1812, a post he kept for 22 years. He most likely occupied Camden Place from 1818 and he continued the tradition of entertaining on a grand scale.
Among his guests were the Duke of Wellington, the Duchess of York, Prince Leopold and Prince Esterházy. His wife, Countess Dorothea von Lieven, was one of the most influential social and political figures in Europe and was often regarded as a diplomat in her own right.
A newspaper report from July 1819 records a distinguished gathering at Camden Place attended by several of the most prominent personalities in Britain and Europe, illustrating the important social role the house played during this period.
1818-1821
The Russian Ambassador
Count Christoph von Lieven, the Russian Ambassador, takes a lease on Camden Place. He most likely took up residence in 1818.
1819-1820
More dignitaries are entertained
On 27 July 1819 Lieven entertains the Duchess of York, Prince Leopold, Prince Esterházy and the Duke of Wellington at his new Camden Place residence. On the 2nd of October 1819 it is the turn of the Prussian and Dutch ambassadors to be entertained. On the 31st August 1820 Count and Countess Lieven host a large party once again including Prince and Princess Esterházy and the Duke of Wellington.
1821
Camden Place is again available to let
Camden Place is advertised to let, having recently been occupied by the Russian Ambassador. The new residents are the Rolwles family.
1823
Camden Place is for sale and a baby girl is born
On the 25th June 1823 Camden Place is offered for sale. Henry Rowles is named as the sitting tenant. On 26th September 1823 a daughter of Henry Rowles is born at Camden Place. This is Emily who will later meet the exiled Prince Louis Napoleon in her debutante year.
The sale details of Camden Place
The End of the Ambassadorial Era
By 1821, Count Lieven had left Camden Place and the property entered a new phase of its history. This is when a new tenant named Henry Rowles, took up residence, and in 1823 the estate was offered for sale, The auction particulars described an elegant country mansion with extensive grounds, stabling, pleasure gardens and ornamental features—providing a fascinating glimpse of the house as it would have appeared to its diplomatic residents.
The sale marked the end of another remarkable chapter in the history of Camden Place. For a brief but significant period, this Chislehurst mansion hosted ambassadors whose guests included royalty, statesmen and military leaders at a time when the future of Europe was being decided. A fitting prelude to the house becoming the site of the French Court in exile just fifty years later.
It seems that the Rowles remained in residence as the ‘sitting tenants’ for some time after the sale.