Richard Watts

Sir Richard Watts (1529-1579) was MP for Rochester, Kent in the 1570s. Famed locally for his philanthropy, he established a house in Rochester High Street for the benefit of six poor travellers, each of whom, according to a plaque on the outside of the building, would be given lodging and 'entertainment' for one night, before being sent on their way with fourpence.

Quote box
quote =RICHARD WATTS, Esq.
by his Will, dated 22 Aug. 1579,
founded this Charity
for Six poor Travellers,
who not being ROGUES, or PROCTORS,
May receive gratis for one Night,
Lodging, Entertainment,
and Fourpence each.
source =
- Charels Dickens
Inscription on charity entrance
align = left

The house was the inspiration for Charles Dickens' short story, . Watts' benevolence and the Dickens story are remembered during Rochester's fancy dress Dickensian Christmas Festival, when a turkey is cooked and ceremoniously distributed to 'the poor' at the house.

Watts' legacy was so substantial that a charity bearing his name is still in existence today. The Watts Almshouses, administered by the charity, on Rochester's Maidstone Road, are a fine example of Victorian gothic cottagery.

Queen Elizabeth I was the guest of Sir Richard Watts in 1573. When he asked her if his house was to her liking, she replied 'Satis' (Latin for 'enough'). The house was thereafter known as 'Satis House'. Dickens appropriated the name for Miss Havisham's house in his novel Great Expectations (although the house itself was based on another local landmark, Restoration House).

Satis House is now the administrative building for The King's School, Rochester. A bust of Watts has been set on top of the building's portico.