REGENT’S PARK 
io 5 
Elector Palatine. The Primrose Hill lines first made 
their appearance in 1877! So, although now quite 
surrounded by houses, and well within the County of 
London, that this would be so in time to come, was not 
foretold three hundred years ago. 
The delightfully rural name dates from the time of 
Queen Elizabeth, and is said to be derived from the 
number of primroses which grew there. The earlier 
name was Barrow Hill, from supposed ancient burials. 
After the mysterious murder of Sir Edmondsbury God¬ 
frey in October 1678, his body was found in a ditch 
at the foot of the hill. At one time the superstitious 
thought his ghost haunted the place, and a contemporary 
medal has this inscription— 
“ Godfrey walks up hill after he was dead; 
[St.] Denis walks down hill carrying his head.” 
The fresh air and pleasant view from the top of the 
hill, and the cheery sounds of games, have long ago 
dispelled all these gloomy memories. 
