Lacey's Bagnio in Leicester Fields

No. 27

The lease of this site was granted on 20 June 1670 to William Burges of St. Martin's, gentleman, for forty-two years at £7 14s. per annum. (fn. 48) The first occupant was Balthazar (or Belshazar) Flushiere or Fulshiere, 1673–85, (fn. 15) who appears to have kept lodgings under the sign of the Golden Head. (fn. 59)

In 1707 the house was taken by Lewis Watson, third Baron Rockingham, who became first Earl of Rockingham in 1714; (fn. 18) he occupied the house until his death in 1724 and Lady Margaret Watson was rated for it in 1725. (fn. 15)

No. 27 was subsequently converted into a bagnio by Roger Lacey. This establishment achieved notoriety within its first year of existence when Nathanael St. André, the anatomist, brought the notorious Mary Tofts, who claimed to have given birth to rabbits, to lodge here in December 1726. (fn. 27) He notified Sir Hans Sloane of her arrival at the 'bagnio in Leicester-fields, where you may if you please have the opportunity of seeing her deliver'd.' (fn. 60) Lacey was rated for No. 27 from 1726 to 1733 and was succeeded by Richard or William Skelton, bagnio keeper, from 1733 to 1755. (fn. 46) The house was occupied in 1800–1 by Antoinetta La Sablonière. (fn. 15)

---

15. R.B.

27. D.N.B.

46. R.B.; W.P.L., The Westminster Poll, 1749.

48. De L'Isle deeds, bundle 556, deeds of 20 June 1670.

59. Walpole Society, vol. 18 (George Vertue Note Book I), 1930, pp. 97–8; H.M.C., Seventh Report, 1879, p. 794; ibid., Downshire MSS., vol. I, part II, 1924, p. 648; Cal. Treasury Books 1685–1689, p. 67.

60. Anecdotes of Hogarth, [1780?], p. 46 (B.M. pressmark C40.i.17).