Blackheath (From News Shopper)

Blackheath

12:58pm Wednesday 20th June 2007 in

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Regarded by many as one of the most attractive suburbs in the capital, Blackheath boasts a history of sporting firsts and historic revolts.

There are various myths surrounding how Blackheath got its name.

One suggestion is the name is connected to the burial of plague, or Black Death, victims. Another possibility is that it is linked to highwayman who made the heath a black, or bleak, place for travellers to cross at night.

The truth is Blackheath got its name because its soil and plants were a darker colour than the green fields around it.

Blackheath was the base for two famous pre-Civil War rebellions, the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 and Jack Cade's rebellion of 1450. Battle did not take place at Blackheath on either of these occasions, but it did during the Cornish rebellion of 1497.

Blackheath later became a popular spot with royals. Londoners welcomed Henry V when he returned from Agincourt in 1415, it was on Blackheath that Henry VIII met Anne of Cleves, Charles II was met at Blackheath on his return to England and George II conducted a review of his troops on the heath.

Blackheath Village started taking shape in the early part of the 19th century when John Cator began building the houses which now known as the Cator Estate. The heath became a public open space in 1871.

Nowadays Blackheath Village is known for its range of upmarket shops and restaurants.

The heath itself is used for many recreational events, including the largest free firework display of its kind in England. The heath's 270 acres provide an ideal space for walking and the heath also offers superb views of central London.

Blackheath can boast two sporting firsts, being home to the first golf club in England and the oldest rugby club in Britain. In recent years Blackheath has been the starting point for the London Marathon.