Valentine Knight Explained

Valentine Knight
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Valentine Knight (fl. 1666) was a 17th-century English architect. After the Great Fire, he submitted plans for rebuilding the city of London to King Charles II, although they were never adopted. Knight's plans called for a layout which emphasized reorganization of building plots above reorganization of the street layouts advocated by Christopher Wren and John Evelyn.[1]

Knight's plan called for the construction of a toll canal which would fund the further reconstruction of London. Charles was incensed that Knight suggested the King "draw a benefit to himself from so public a calamity of his people" – and had Knight briefly thrown in jail.[2]

Before the Fire, Knight was nominated to be a Knight of the Royal Oak.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Morris, A.E.J. . 2013 . History of the Urban Form Before the Industrial Revolution . February 4, 2016. Routledge . Figure 8.13. 9781317885139 .
  2. Web site: How London Might Have Looked Five Masterplans After the Great Fire of 1666 . February 4, 2016. theguardian.com.
  3. Jenner . M.S.R.. Print Culture and the Rebuilding of London after the Fire: The Presumptuous Proposals of Valentine Knight. Journal of British Studies. Jan 2017. 56. 1. 1–26. 10.1017/jbr.2016.115. 164620263.