91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Built as social housing by the GLC in Tower Hamlets. Matilda House is now a block of upmarket flats. At we find a report that "By 1974 the estate was fully occupied by well organised squatters". The plaque suggests there should also be a Stephen House but we can't find any reference to it. We wonder if these flats were named after the 12th century warring Matilda and her cousin King Stephen, or more likely King Stephen and his wife Matilda of Boulogne, who founded St Katharine by the Tower.

2018: Mike Jempson contacted us to say that "the estate was NEVER squatted. As a founder of the co-op" Mike is planning to write a history, which we look forward to seeing and will provide a link.

2024: We are grateful to Daniel McLaughlin who sent us this link to . There's more information there about the co-op and also confirmation that (Jempson believes) the Matilda referenced here is Stephen's cousin, not his wife.

2026: We thank John Barrett for sending the following information: "Stephen House existed and was part of the flats. It was separated from the main block, Matilda House, and consisted of 36 flats compared to over 186 flats of Matilda. The blocks were built in 1936 and I was born there in1939. Most were 2 bedrooms; the top floor of flats consisting of 3 bedrooms. The buildings were sited in amongst the docks and subjected to heavy bomber raids during the war, however it was not hit, which is hard to believe because most of the area around the buildings were suffered heavy damage. The neighbours during the early forties and fifties were the salt of the earth, most marriages were between persons who resided there, crime was unknown, loyalty was everywhere. Sadly Stephen House was demolished after I left there in the eighties. I always wonder if any neighbours still reside there, but they would be in their middle eighties now. Hope you found the memory of some help." Indeed, yes. Thank you.