William Morris – A short History
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Burne-Jones wrote (in November): “Topsy [Morris] has had some furniture (chairs and table) made after his own design; they are as beautiful as medieval work, and when we have painted designs of knights and ladies upon them they will be perfect marvels.”
Jane Morris (nee Burden)
In 1858, Morris proposed to Jane Burden, the daughter of a local stableman, They married on April 26, 1859 and embarked on a six week honeymoon. At the time of their marriage, Morris was living at 13 George Street.
In 1859, Phillip Webb, friend and architect designed Red House for the Morris family. They moved into the house at Bexleyheath, Kent in June of 1860. Only ten miles from London, the house was built on an acre in a rural setting, and cost £ 4,000. to build.
Red House, due to its innovative design, became a starting point for the Arts & Crafts movement in England.
Red House. Entering from the drive.
The front door at Red House. Over the door is a painted Latin inscription: “Dominus custodiat exitum tuum et introitum tuum which is a verse from the Psalms 128:8. It translates as follows:The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in.
The few years that the Morris’ lived at Red House were busy and productive. It was the time for the cooperation of friends in what became one of the major and most influential design firms in the world.
