Talk:Royal Clarence Hotel

Thanks and a question I can't resolve

Thanks for creating this nice little article, Ghmyrtle. I've added a few bits from some ref books. I wondered if we can say that the William Mackworth Praed who built it was the son of this William Mackworth Praed. It seems likely, but I haven't seen any confirmation. —SMALL JIM 20:13, 28 October 2016 (UTC)[reply]

This article says that "The final resting places of William Mackworth Praed, 18th century MP for Exeter, his son William, Sergeant-in-Law and his daughter Elizabeth at the family tomb at St James also need attention. William Mackworth Praed founded the Exeter Bank in 1769 and instigated the building of the Royal Clarence Hotel. He leased Bitton House, Lower Bitton, in 1792 as a pleasant summer residence for himself and his family. William jnr, was by profession an attorney and had become Sergeant-at-Law. Winthrop Mackworth Praed, poet and MP, was William snr’s youngest son." It doesn't quite make it crystal clear that the W M Praed who instigated the building of the hotel was the son of the W M Praed who it claims was the MP for Exeter (though according to this list, he wasn't... he was MP for St Ives in Cornwall), but it seems a reasonable inference given that the father died in 1752. Ghmyrtle (talk) 20:54, 28 October 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Interesting find. It led me to its source: Griffiths' History of Teignmouth where it's clearly stated that the William Mackworth Praed who founded the Exeter Bank and instigated the building of this hotel was a son of William Mackworth Praed. There are still a few discrepancies in fact (Was he an MP? Was he 2nd or 3rd son?), but I feel confident enough to add it now and cite that book. Incidentally, he was also the grandfather of Winthrop Mackworth Praed, the poet. —SMALL JIM 11:03, 29 October 2016 (UTC)[reply]

"Cathedral Close" or "Cathedral Yard"?

From looking at Google maps, it seems that the north-west side of the Cathedral Green - where the hotel is - is named "Cathedral Yard", and only the north-eastern side is named "Cathedral Close". This detail may be worth checking. Ghmyrtle (talk) 14:54, 29 October 2016 (UTC)[reply]

My street map of Exeter agrees. A Cathedral close is the generic name for the open area surrounding a cathedral, but in Exeter it seems that the term "Cathedral Precinct" is used for this area, per Exeter Central Conservation Area Appraisal - August 2002, a document that includes much interesting information (pdf downloadable from https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B4CpCORtOQdTNjVPQWVRN054bnc). At least we can look forward to some good archaeology when they come to clearing the site... —SMALL JIM 16:10, 29 October 2016 (UTC)[reply]

I think that "Cathedral Precinct" is simply a term used in the local planning documents for a defined character area - rather than being a postal address. The "Precinct" includes the (grassed) Cathedral Green and the (paved) Cathedral Close and Cathedral Yard - as well as (for instance) Catherine Street, Deanery Place and Palace Gate (see p.80 of the pdf file). There is a little more about the architecture of the hotel on p.85. I wonder whether the pdf as a whole should be added to the article as "Further reading" - I expect readers would find it interesting. Or, it could be added to the (poor) article on Cathedral Close, Exeter. Ghmyrtle (talk) 16:36, 29 October 2016 (UTC)[reply]

It would make a good item for "Further reading", I think. Is there a way, do you know, to provide a direct download link for the pdf? —SMALL JIM 23:19, 29 October 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Trying this - "City Centre Conservation Area Appraisal, Exeter City Council". Ghmyrtle (talk) 09:55, 30 October 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Now added to both articles. Ghmyrtle (talk) 11:44, 30 October 2016 (UTC)[reply]