10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street is the headquarters of the Government of the United Kingdom, as well as the personal residence of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in London.
History
The first residence built on the site was gifted to Thomas Knyvet, 1st Baron Knyvet by Queen Elizabeth in 1581. Knyvet was involved in arresting Guy Fawkes and foiling his Gunpowder Plot in 1605.[1] The house then passed through various owners over the years. Eventually in 1682, Sir George Downing gained ownership of the block and built them up in a cul-de-sac of of two-storey town houses. Over the years, the addresses changed several times.[2]
In 1732, Sir Robert Walpole became the first Prime Minister to live at 10 Downing Street after King George II offered Walpole the house as a gift. However, Walpole only accepted on the condition that the house become the official residence of the Prime Minister.[1]
The residence would later fall into disrepair as many Prime Minister preferred living in their own house. By 1868, Benjamin Disraeli was Prime Minister and worked to repair the place for his own accommodation. He successfully convinced Parliament to help pay for repairs, although he had to pay for the repair of the private rooms out of his own coin.[1]
In 1908, Prime Ministers became legally required to live at the residence.[1]
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed: Syndicate (mentioned in Database entry only)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Database: 10 Downing Street
- ↑
10 Downing Street on Wikipedia