Horse Guards
The Horse Guards is a military building in Westminster in London, England, housing the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, the squadron that makes up the monarchy's Life Guard.
History[edit | edit source]
Originally the tiltyard of the Palace of Westminster in the 16th and 17th centuries, the site was used for extravagant jousting tournaments, fireworks and bear-baiting matches, reportedly attended by thousands of spectators. After the tiltyard was closed for "some serious disturbances", a building was constructed there in 1641.[1]
The first House Guards was built in 1665 and torn down in 1748 after the building deteriorated to such a degree that those inside were in near-constant danger of being crushed by falling debris. Construction on the building that stands today began in 1750, with the Queen's Household Cavalry moving into the building in 1755.[1]
In the following years, two sections of the building gained a reputation for the activities taking place there: the basement, used for a cockfighting pit, and a public coffee house that attracted prostitutes. It is reported that the police often arrived on the scene to settle disputes and disorder, only to be turned away by the military. The coffee house closed in 1850.[1]
In 1861, the trial of desertion against Simeon Price took place at the Horse Guards. Throughout the trial, former soldiers spoke for Price's character and actions as a soldier against the few opposing testimonies, such as that of Major Grimes. Price later gave his own testimony, during which he insulted the military for their promises of financial compensation for young men, who were ambivalent to the life they were blindly accepting. He also remained adamant that his defiance of orders had saved countless lives from the sinking of the HMS Birkenhead. After a moment of deliberation, Price was ultimately found innocent, due in large part to the intervention of Byron Ockham and his father. After the trial's verdict, all the soldiers present congratulated Price for his victory.[2]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Syndicate (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Magus Conspiracy
References[edit | edit source]
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