Spent his first night in exile at the Bridge Inn, Newhaven
Landlady Mrs. Sarah Smith 1791-1864
There were a number of anti-monarchy revolutions across Europe in 1848. Revolution in the UK manifested
in Chartism, a mass movement calling for the right to vote be extended to working class men and thus
political influence. Anti-government protests in France developed into an intense uprising in Paris as the
February Revolution, gaining control of the city and causing the abdication of King Louis Philippe and the
establishment of the Second Republic.
The Illustrated London News presented a full account of their arrival in England with accompanying
engravings by Duncan, an artist who had journeyed to Newhaven to make the preliminary sketches.
In disguise the King and his consort were brought across the Channel from Le Havre by the steamship
Express commanded by Capt. Paul. They arrived at Newhaven on the morning of Friday 3rd March where
unshowy accommodation was found for the mysterious couple at the Bridge Inn. Their identity was soon
disclosed to their worthy hostess Mrs. Sarah Smith and she “conducted the Royal exiles up-stairs. On
reaching their apartment, the emotions of the worn-out and harassed travellers overpowered them, and found
vent in a flood of tears.” Their 8-day escape ordeal over.
“The Royal party, which consisted of seven persons, occupied two sitting and six bed-rooms, independent
of a large room 60 feet in length which was appropriated to the attendants.” A letter to her Majesty Queen
Victoria was entrusted to and conveyed by Mr. Irons, the secretary of the Brighton Railway and Steam
Packet Co. and clothes were purchased for them in Brighton to “repair the deficiencies of the Royal
Wardrobe” while bags of French silver coin were changed into English money.
A great deal of visitors having heard of the esteemed guests arrived at the Inn to pay their respects to the
ex-King, and their departure on Saturday 4th March was further “intercepted at every step by fresh comers”
such as scholars from Lewes Free Grammar School. After much handshaking and thanksgiving the Royal
party boarded a special train that had arrived for them at Newhaven and they departed for London at 11
o’clock.
The Bridge’s respected landlady for 50 years was Mrs Sarah Smith. She was born in Sussex in 1791. She
was widowed and retired in the 1850s, but remained for a time at the Hotel as a resident. She died on 4 Nov
1864.
NOTES/LINKS
Sources inc: The Illustrated London News, ed. of 11 March 1848