BEDLAM
London, England
Plaque at original London site;
Plaque at second London site;
Imperial War Museum (final London site).
Bedlam, an abbreviated form of Bethlehem, or Bethlem, was founded as a priory (St. Mary of Bethlem) in 1247. From at least as early as 1329 there was an attached hospital, and records show that at least as early as 1403 the hospital served patients with mental disorders. The history of the institution is spotted by its former display of insanity as public entertainment. According to the Oxford English Dictionary the present usage of the term bedlam derives from behaviors observed in this institution.
The 1247 location of the institution was on the site of the present Liverpool Street Rail Station.
Plaque on Liverpool Street Station
Liverpool Street Station is easily reached by Underground. The Liverpool Street stop deposits you on the correct side of the station to locate the plaque. On arriving in the station, exit to Liverpool Street, which runs along the south side. The plaque is located toward the Bishopsgate end of the building (to the east).
Plaque commemorating second location of Bedlam, on corner building north side of London Wall at Circus Place. Approximately one block from Moorgate/London Wall intersection.
(Photo courtesy of Rae Cousins)
Over the centuries, the institution has occupied several locations. The final placement within London was in what is now the Imperial War Museum, in Lambeth Road, which was initially constructed (1812-1815) to serve as a mental hospital, and continued in this capacity until 1930. This is the only extant evidence of the several incarnations of the institution. In 1930 the hospital was moved out of London, to Eden park near Beckenham, Kent. The interested reader should consult Survey of London (1955), vol. 25 - St. George's Fields, Southwark - Chapter 9, pp. 76-80 for a brief history of Bedlam and for details of the construction and subsequent modifications of this building.
There is little remaining at the War Museum to mark its earlier function. A Latin inscription mounted over the entrance records the Royal foundation in 1547 of one phase of the Hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem. Near the information desk inside are a few old photographs from the period of the building's functioning as a mental hospital. In response to my questioning, a person at the desk retrieved photocopies of the relevant pages from the Survey of London volume referred to above.
The Imperial War Museum
To reach the museum, take the Underground to Lambeth North. Exit on Westminster Bridge Road. Cross street to Kennington Road. Follow Kennington a short distance to Lambeth Road. Turn left and walk to the entrance to the Museum on the right.