No. 8 Lambeth Loyal Cavalry

The Lambeth Loyal Volunteers and the Independent Lambeth cavalry were typical of the many volunteer militia units that formed around the country in response to fears of a French invasion, and tacitly, in response to the political radicalism that had been engendered by the French Revolution.  The Lambeth Volunteers were funded by public subscription, and their activities ceased when there was no further public enthusiasm to support them; the minutes of their last meeting note that the subscriptions are exhausted and resolve to call on the parish for more funds. The Independent Lambeth Cavalry were captained by John Astley, son of Philip Astley who founded the eponymous circus on Westminster Bridge Road.
The Parish of Lambeth stretched South from the River Thames in London bordered by the parishes of Clapham and Streatham to the West, Croydon to the South and Christchurch, Southwark, Newington and Camberwell to the East.