In my next book, which is due to be published this year, I’ll be exploring the Rite of Seven Degrees, the Masonic rite of engraver Pierre Lambert de Lintot, which flourished in London during the latter eighteenth century. We know from his engravings that de Lintot resided at 5 Cobham Row, Cold Bath Fields, London, so let us explore where de Lintot lived…

Let us first examine the Cold Bath, which was the idea of a certain Walter Baynes who, in 1697, came up with a plan to convert the ancient conduit and spring near Sir Johns Oldcastle into a cold bath, which could be used to treat various medical conditions, an idea that could be seen in action with the curative waters of Bath in Somerset. Baynes, a lawyer, gathered together a syndicate for the scheme, which included goldsmith John Warner. At first, the project was not a financial success, despite a dwelling house being built for a site manager, with additions that included dressing rooms for the patients, though after Baynes had moved into the building and bought out his partners in the scheme, he seemed to have made the business pay. The bath eventually became a valuable property, and was surrounded by a brick wall, becoming the heart of what would become Coldbath Square. To one side of this, was built Cobham Row, where Lambert de Lintot resided in the 1780s.

The map of 1874 reveals the location of Cobham Row, the Square around the Cold Bath, and on the other side to the Square, Baynes Row and Great Warner Street can be seen. Great Bath Street can be seen to the back. Number 7 Cobham Row was the corner property that also faced the east side of Coldbath Square, and Number 5, where Lambert de Lintot resided in the 1780s, can be seen indicated on the print. Cobham Row is now part of Rosebery Avenue (not too far from Holborn), a major thoroughfare through modern London, and the much altered properties can be seen on the screenshots below (care of Google images).

The Rite of Seven Degrees will be published by Lewis Masonic later this year, and is available for pre-order via the author. Many thanks to Brother George Brooks for his astounding research!