Hampstead Heath Land Linked to Slave Trade Funds
A forthcoming report details how Parliament Hill Fields was acquired using money with indirect slave trade connections.
Trust 42Craft 55Hype 65How this was reported ▾
Only one named source (City of London Corporation) and no direct document quote.
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No affected residents or opposition voices quoted; vague 'understands' phrasing.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
Headline overstates findings; 'bought using cash linked to slave trade' not confirmed in body.
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Part of Parliament Hill Fields, situated on Hampstead Heath, was acquired in the 19th century using funds that had indirect connections to profits derived from the slave trade. This finding is set to be detailed in a report commissioned by the City of London Corporation, which is expected to be published in September.
Research into Historical Links
The City of London Corporation commissioned the research in December 2024 to investigate its historical connections to the slave trade. Professor William Pettigrew from Lancaster University is leading this investigation, which aims to identify past Lord Mayors, Aldermen, and other members who held financial interests in the slave trade between 1640 and 1807. The study will also examine related institutional investments. A paper published prior to this commission noted that other institutions, such as the Bank of England and the Church of England, have already undertaken similar historical reviews.
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The forthcoming report, anticipated to highlight numerous links with the City, is expected to include extensive details concerning the connections between former Corporation members and the trafficking of African slaves. It is understood that the research will also cover institutional investments tied to the slave trade.
Acquisition of Parliament Hill Fields
The report specifically outlines how the purchase of Parliament Hill Fields in the 19th century involved the use of funds indirectly linked to the slave trade. Following the Metropolitan Board of Works' acquisition of Hampstead Heath in 1871, it was deemed necessary to also purchase the adjacent Parliament Hill Fields. A new charity, the City Parochial Foundation, which was formed from the amalgamation of local parish charities that had received donations from slave traders, was identified as a contributor to this land purchase alongside other bodies like the Board of Works.
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A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation stated that addressing this part of its history openly and honestly is important for building an inclusive City. The spokesperson confirmed that Professor Pettigrew was commissioned to research historical links using the London Archives and the Register of British Slave Traders, with the report scheduled for publication later this year. Members of the Corporation have been invited to awareness training sessions in anticipation of its release.
Questions this report answers
+How was Parliament Hill Fields funded?
Parliament Hill Fields was purchased using funds that had indirect links to profits from the slave trade. The City Parochial Foundation, created from parish charities that had received donations from slave traders, contributed to the purchase alongside other bodies like the Board of Works.
+Who is leading the investigation into these links?
The investigation is being led by Professor William Pettigrew from Lancaster University. The City of London Corporation commissioned the research in December 2024 to examine historical connections to the slave trade among its members and institutional investments.
+When will the report be published?
The report is expected to be published in September 2024. It will detail extensive links between the City of London Corporation and the slave trade, including contributions to the purchase of Parliament Hill Fields.
+What will the City of London Corporation do with the findings?
The Corporation has stated that addressing this history openly is important for building an inclusive City. Members have been invited to awareness training sessions in anticipation of the report's release later this year.
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