Monday 18 February 2013

The storm which spawned a legendary monster


For years, I have known that Mary Shelley wrote part of 'Frankenstein' in a building which was demolished to make way for the excavations of the Roman Baths here in Bath, but what I did not know until very recently, is that she finished the book in this building - now a 'Brora' clothing outlet in New Bond Street.


The story goes that she visited this house (the facade did not include a Victorian shop-front at that time, obviously,  and was purely domestic with stone right down to the street), and when a terrific thunderstorm broke out, she decided to stay here and finish the book off, rather than get soaked by making her way back through the muddy streets to the baths. There were probably other factors - get away from Percy and the rest of the gang? - but here is where she stayed for the time being.



The stone staircase is original, but the leaded windows are a Victorian (or slightly later) addition.




This - being the main living room at the time - was probably where the monster first decided to wander off into the icy wilderness, leaving his creator to die on board a whaling ship.

Rather like the remains of Richard the Third being unearthed in a Leicester car park, I find being so close to legends extremely inspiring - it certainly beats the hell out of Jane Austen for me, and I live here.

"IT'S ALIVE!"

6 comments:

  1. It seems at least two of the floors are the shop. Are the next two floors apartments that can had? Or even other businesses? I loved your tour. Thank you.

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    1. It's all leased to the shop. There is a basement down there too, which shows signs of having stored wine at some point. These days it is a packing room.

      I'm pleased you liked the glimpse.

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  2. I really like that window, afterthought or not. Is there a (non-blue) plaque outside; there should be.

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    1. Due to cost-cutting, English Heritage are not placing any more blue plaques for the time being. The will offer to organise one for you though, at a cost of a few thousand pounds. Although this sounds like a lot for a bit of cast metal bolted to a wall, I think it includes all the necessary research which validates it. I'm not sure how I feel about blue plaques, though.

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  3. It is marvellous when you find a bit of history thank you for making the effort, and for keeping me abreast of Bath comings and goings.
    We spend time in Whitby, home of Dracula, black dogs running down the 199 steps and of course Goths who can be quite frightening to! but they are getting a bit old now.

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    1. I've never been to Whitby, but I would like to go there. Shame it doesn't smell of fish any more.

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