Exterior view of Brooke House
Brooke House, Upper Clapton Road, Hackney © Historic England AL0149/038/02
Brooke House, Upper Clapton Road, Hackney © Historic England AL0149/038/02

Brooke House

Originally a grand Hackney residence to prominent friends of King Henry VIII, Brooke House was converted for use as a private madhouse in 1758.

Notably, Brooke House is closely linked to the famous Monro family of physicians. The Monro physicians spanned four generations and most notably they oversaw practises at Bethlem. Used as a madhouse for nearly 200 years, Brooke House suffered severe bomb damage during the Blitz and was pulled down for safety reasons in the 1950s. Prior to demolition, the building was recorded by the Survey of London and archaeological excavations were undertaken. Elements of the building were saved and they now form a part of Historic England's Architectural Study Collection. Objects saved from Brooke House provide a rare opportunity to have a glimpse inside the madhouse.

How objects have been reused

The historical significance of Brooke House was not entirely removed during its conversion to a madhouse. A number of relatively high status objects were retained and survive in the collection. The Monroes evidently wished to retain historic features. The long gallery was the best survival. The ceiling is particularly special as the surviving fragments illustrate heraldic shields with birds and animals centred on the coat of arms of Lord Hunsdon, owner of Brooke House from 1578 to 1583. What is more, other areas of the madhouse retained historic features including a staircase and a door frame. Integrating historical features into the madhouse suggests that historical connotations associated with the building were intentionally saved.

What objects were chosen and added

Many alterations made to Brooke House were to make it a suitable madhouse in the eyes of the proprietors. The biggest refurbishment was undertaken on the main elevation when a Georgian style front was added. A new staircase, cornices, fireplaces and panelling were added internally. The most amazing survival is a number of wallpaper fragments. Most of the surviving fragments depict floral designs, which would have created a homely and familiar environment for the patients. Other designs would have been used in formal areas or hallways. A number of tiles were also recovered. Brightly coloured, these tiles added cheer to the madhouse environment. Elements of the archaeology collection from Brooke House are now stored by the Museum of London. Objects include fragments of a china tea set, which most likely once belonged to a resident of Brooke House.

Summary of what we know

Objects from Brooke House reveal that this madhouse was clearly designed to impress the families of potential patients and provide a familiar environment for the patients themselves. This building was not just a madhouse, but a home that reflected the Monroes' ideologies concerning the confinement of this sector of society.

Brooke House

Please click on the gallery images to enlarge.

This copper alloy disk with a stamped design was found at Brooke House. Only partial remains of an inscription can be seen around the circumference. It is likely this was lost by a patient or a member of staff. This panel is part of the late 17th century decorative scheme in Brooke House. The panel makes up part of an oak pilaster capital with carved stylised Corinthian motifs. Dating to the 1860s, this floral wallpaper most likely decorated a bedroom at Brooke House. A collection of English Delft tiles from a fire surround. They show rural and waterside scenes in a square ‘picture-frame’ border of blue, purple, yellow and white. These date to the second half of the 18th century and were probably made in Liverpool. Dating to the early 17th century, this blue and white hand painted tile shows a boy playing with a hoop. Removed from Brooke House, this polychrome tin glazed Delft tile is decorated with carnations and a bowl of flowers. A Dutch wall tile decorated with a smiling chubby winged puti beneath a basket of flowers dating to the 18th century. A fragment of wallpaper taken from Brooke House. Dating to the 1860s, this fragment is a corner section of an imitation marble wallpaper. A fragment of wallpaper taken from Brooke House. Dating to the 1860s, this paper features a floral design of the William Morris arts and crafts influence. A mid 18th century tile depicting a water-side scene in blue and white, set inside a purple and white octagonal border removed from Brooke House. Four sections of applied mouldings from an arcaded arch at Brooke House Hackney. Three fragments of cornice taken from Brooke House. The moulding features calyx and acanthus waterleaf decoration and dates to the late 18th century.

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