Chelsea hosted the Synod of Chelsea in 787 AD. The word Chelsea (also formerly Chelceth, Chelchith, or Chelsey, ) originates from the Old English term for 'landing place for chalk or limestone' ( Cealc-hyð: chalk- wharf, in Anglo-Saxon). Chelsea is home to one of the largest communities of Americans living outside the United States, with 6.53% of Chelsea residents having been born there. The exclusivity of Chelsea as a result of its high property prices historically resulted in the coining of the term ' Sloane Ranger' in the 1970s to describe some of its residents, and some of those of nearby areas. It merged with the Metropolitan Borough of Kensington, forming the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea upon the formation of the Greater London area in 1965. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames and for postal purposes is part of the south-western postal area.Ĭhelsea historically formed a manor and parish in the Ossulstone hundred of Middlesex, which became the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea in 1900.

Chelsea wilde