Montagu House (sometimes also spelt Montague) was a prominent residence situated near to the southwest corner of Greenwich Park (today the junction of Charlton Way and Chesterfield Walk), overlooking the common at Blackheath in what is today southeast London. Adjacent to the Ranger's House, it was the royal residence of Caroline of Brunswick before being demolished in 1815. History The house was built as a country residence for Ralph Montagu, 1st Duke of Montagu in the late 17th century. Two adjacent buildings, Montagu House and Park Corner House, were constructed, with the latter being occupied for a time by a George Moult (it was briefly known as 'Mole's Corner') and the subject of a drawing (c. 1781) by Paul Sandby now held by the British Museum. The former slave and (later) writer, Ignatius Sancho, was for two years (1749 to 1751) butler to the family of John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu at Montagu House, returning to the family's service in 1766 as valet to the duke's son-in-law. Leased from the Duchess of Buccleuch, Montagu House later became the residence of the estranged wife of the Prince Regent (later King George IV). Caroline of Brunswick lived in the house from 1799 to 1812 (other sources suggest 1797 or 1798 to 1814) after she had given birth to Princess Charlotte, who lived with a governess at the nearby mansion of the Duchess of Brunswick (today the Ranger's House). A contemporary account by a Miss Aikin described Montagu House: "The princess's villa at Blackheath is an incongruous piece of patchwork; it may dazzle for a moment when lighted up at night, but it is all glitter, and glare, and trick; everything is tinsel and trumpery about it; it is altogether like a bad dream." The Delicate Investigation Montagu House was the location of alleged affairs between Queen Caroline and various lovers, investigated as part of "The Delicate Investigation" in 1806 and which heard testimony from neighbours in Greenwich, Major-General Sir John Douglas and his wife Charlotte. Lady Douglas became Caroline's companion, living for a time at Montagu House before their friendship broke down, and rumours about scandalous events at the house began to circulate; Lady Douglas alleged that Caroline had admitted to having had an illegitimate child, William Austin. A secretive investigation cleared Caroline of adultery (and poured doubt on the Douglas testimonies) but questioned other aspects of Caroline's behaviour. However, public