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Hard Cover. Zustand: Very Good. Zustand des Schutzumschlags: Very Good. Plates (illustrator). First Edition. Dust jacket complete, unclipped. Blue cloth with bright gilt titling on spine. No ownership inscription. Frontis plate. 224 Pages Incl. Index. Clean and tight. On December 7th, 1681, Charles II issued his Royal Warrant appointing a Treasurer for his Hospital `for the relief of such Land Souldiers as are or shall be old, lame or infirme in ye service of the Crowne', and on Christmas Day that year he gave ;02,000 of his `more particular private many . . to begin so exelent a worke.' The grand design of the Royal Hospital was entrusted to Sir Christopher Wren, but it was not until ten years later, in the Spring of 1692, that the first In-Pensioners took up residence. Today, after three centuries and many vicissitudes, the Hospital still honours faithfully the purpose of its `pious Founder'. The Royal Hospital is, in effect, a self-contained village centred around its own chapel, its communal dining-hall, its infirmary and its social club - a community of old gentlemen with similar backgrounds and like experiences. And like any self-respecting village, it thrives on the gossip of the parish pump. But A Village in Chelsea is much more than an old soldiers' tale. Throughout the years the Hospital has attracted the great - and the humble - from all walks of life. Its story is one of drama and of high comedy. It has survived criminal mismanagement and several attempts to close it down. In two world wars it suffered grievous damage and many casualties. To-day it stands high in the affection and regard of the public, and the famous scarlet coat has become a singular and exclusive badge of honour. This informal account of one of the best-loved (and least known) of our national institutions is a tribute to the honourable profession of arms and to the British genius for survival. And last but not least, it is a tribute to the memory of a King who, though he may never have said a foolish thing, certainly did one wise one. Size: 8vo.