History

The Alexander/Milward family were lay tenants of the property from mid century until the early 1600s. William and Katherine and their children lived in the Black and White House. He was a money lender whose legal battles are all documented and held by the National Archives. The name of his son Richard was in legal student text books right up to the last century as a warning about failing to present a case concisely to the judge.

17th century

The Alexanders were in Caversham right up until the Civil War and the occupants of the house must have been aware of the battles fought around them and the movement of troops

The gazebo (summerhouse) overlooking the Thames was built by 1663. The original weathervane is in St Peter’s Church; the 21st century replica here is in memory of Molly Casey, a local campaigner.

18th century

The Loveday family who lived here from 1665 until 1799 planted the yew hedge along long walk. They were occupants during the Battle of Reading in 1688, when soldiers were billeted on Mrs Loveday. This was the only substantial military action in England during the overthrow of King James 11 which ended in a victory for forces of William 111 of Orange.

Further information about John Loveday: http://johnlovedayofcaversham.co.uk/index.htm and on the Loveday family on this website FURTHER HISTORY

19th century

The Simonds family, Reading’s banking and brewing family, remodelled the house, turning it into a splendid Gothic mansion.

20th century

The house had many occupants including:

• Lady Elizabeth Mosley, grandmother of Fascist leader Oswald Mosley

• Thaddeus arathoon, a wealthy Armenian trader

• Mary dePledge, famous for breeding the Caversham strain of Pekingese dogs.

The house was renamed Caversham Court in the 1920s.