h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Why is Swiss Cottage in London called Swiss Cottage? I assume the name has been around for longer than the tacky theme pub by the tube. Also, any other London trivia you have will be gratefully accepted.
Mike.

Just for fun i decided to take the oldest post i could find and bring it to the front.... so here from september the 3rd 1999, is This delightful question which i now expect someone to answer. So get going people!!!

well I do not know about Swiss Cottage but..

I do know that Black Cab drivers are still required to carry hay for the horse by law.

Actually the name hasn't been around longer than the tacky pub, and the area and consequently the local tube station are named after that pub. Similarly the area around the Manor House is named after the pub the Manor House which sits at the road junction by the Manor House tube station. The Fitzrovia area behind Googe Street tube is named after the Fitzroy Tavern also.

I wonder is Mikey Digital is still around these parts to receive the reply to his resurrected question.

Fitzrovia, named after one of the fitzroys, who were to be blunt the bastard sons (the fitz part) of one of the kings (the roy part). I can't remember which king it was but he made of of his mistresses sons a duke (Duke of Grafton I think). That's why there is also various Grafton streets etc in the area as well. All found out while being bored many times at Euston underground (Northern Line, Charing Cross Branch) which has the coat of arms of the Graftons and explains this.

It is also all explained at length on the walls of the Fitzroy Tavern. (Ales include Sovereign and Old Brewery.)

Never drank in the Fitzroy, the Grafton Arms however...
(And the Mortimer and the Jeremy Bentham and...)

Here is a brief synopsis of the entry on Fitrovia and Fitzroy Square from our copy of the Enclyclopaedia of London (edited by Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert) :

The name Fitzrovia was adopted at the beginning of WWII and comes from Fitzroy Square which is found on its north west corner. The square takes its name from Henry Fitzroy, illegitimate son of Charles II by the Duchess of Cleveland. His wife inherited the manor of Tottenham Court from her father, which roughly equates with the Fitzrovia area. Henry Fitzroy was created first Earl of Euston and then the Duke of Grafton. It was their son who build the Euston Road.

There is loads more but my fingers are getting tired