Volucrum Domus_, the habitation of birds or place of fowls.
Norden agrees with Camden, and adds, "It may also be taken for _Volucrum
Amnis_, or the river of fowl; for _Ham_ also in many places signifies
_Amnis_, a river, but it is most probable it should be of land fowl,
which usually haunt groves and clusters of trees, whereof in this place
it seemeth hath been plenty." In Somner's and Lye's Saxon dictionaries
it is called Fulanham, or Foulham, supposed from the dirtiness of the
place. The earliest historical event relating to Fulham, is the arrival
of the Danes there in the year 879. On the right hand side as we enter
the village stands Holcrofts' _Hall_ (formerly Holcrofts') built about
1708, which is worthy of mention as belonging to John Laurie, Esq., and
as having been the residence of Sir John Burgoyne, where he gave some
clever dramatic performances, distinguished not only for the considerable
talent displayed by the actors, but remarkable for the scenery and
machinery, considering the limited space, the whole of which was
superintended by the Honourable Mr. Wrottesley, son of Lord Wrottesley,
who afterwards married Miss Burgoyne, an admirable amateur actress: here
it was that the celebrated Madame Vestris died, on the 8th August, 1856,
in her 59th year. During the time she lived there it was called Gore
Lodge. The house has been since tenanted for a short time by Mr. Charles
Mathews and his present wife. Holcroft's Priory, which is opposite, was
built upon the site of Claybrooke House, mentioned by Faulkner. In the
back lane (Burlington Road) Fulham Almshouses are situated, opposite to
Burlington House, formerly Roy's well-known academy, on the ground
attached to which is now a Reformatory School, built about four years
ago. This lane leads to the termination of the King's Road by the Ship
Tavern. The Almshouses were originally built and endowed by Sir W.
Powell, Bart., and were rebuilt in 1793. The old workhouse (built 1774)
still stands on the left-hand side of the High Street. It has been in a
dilapidated condition for many years, and is about to be pulled down.
The Fulham and Hammersmith Union is now in Fulham Fields. Cipriani lived
in a house adjoining the workhouse. Further on in Fulham High Street is
the Golden Lion Inn. There is a tradition that Bishop Bonner resided in
the Old Golden Lion, and that it had a subterranean communication with
the palace. The late Mr. Crofton Croker read the fol