An Illustrated Account of St. Bartholomew's Priory Church, Smithfield: With a Sketch of Bartholomew Fair, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and the Prior's Country Seat, Canonbury Tower, Islington — John Shaqi
An Illustrated Account of St. Bartholomew's Priory Church, Smithfield: With a Sketch of Bartholomew Fair, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and the Prior's Country Seat, Canonbury Tower, IslingtonNormanus
History
An Illustrated Account of St. Bartholomew's Priory Church, Smithfield: With a Sketch of Bartholomew Fair, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and the Prior's Country Seat, Canonbury Tower, Islington
Normanus
Smithfield (London, England); St. Bartholomew-the-Great (Church : London, England)
[Illustration]
There is also a Monument to the memory of Eliza Freshwater, in dark
marble; it represents a woman kneeling in prayer at an altar in a niche.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE FONT.]
In the South Aisle, at the west end, the Font stands, with a curious
cover, and two ornamental weights on chains for raising it. Hogarth was
christened at this Font.
The Aisles are about 12 feet wide, having arched or vaulted roofs; on
one side are pilasters, with the arches springing from them and joining
the massive Norman pillars of the Choir. The Aisles are lighted by
windows of different sizes and slightly pointed. At the west end of the
North Aisle may be seen a cluster of columns, of which a view is given
above.
[Illustration]
Behind the Altar is a curious stone coffin, so shaped at one end as to
fit the head of its occupant; and no doubt in its cold embrace some
ancient Brother of the Priory was once clasped.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE AMBULATORY.]
The “Ambulatory” is somewhat gloomy, but very picturesque with its
Rembrandt effect; we here introduce a view of the spot. It has long
been called the Purgatory, from being used as a charnel or bone house.
* * * * *
At the east end of the South Aisle is a doorway that led to Bolton’s
House, in the upper right hand corner of which we again meet with
Bolton’s Rebus.
[Illustration]
The house is now used as a fringe manufactory; the upper rooms were the
dormitory and infirmary of the Monastery; the following view shows part
of the exterior where it joins the Church.
[Illustration]
Near one of the doors is a massive staircase with handrail of oak,
undoubtedly part of the original structure, but most of the interior has
been modernized, leaving few of its ancient features.
[Illustration]
The North Aisle presents several admirable views which form most
pleasing pictures.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
* * * * *
Having taken a general survey of the interior, we will now examine some
external objects of interest.
[Illustration: ENTRANCE TO CLOTH FAIR FROM LONG LANE.]
Passing into Cloth Fair we find some old houses, probably in existence
when the martyrdoms took place; we here present a group of these
buildings, seen on the right soon after entering that locality.
[Illustration]
Having passed this group, and turning by the blacksmith’s, we obtain a
glimpse of the exterior of the church, with some very picturesque,
antique houses; forming together a quaint bit of Old London, worth a
journey to see.
[Illustration]
Going through the narrow passage under the houses we come to a portion
of the building now used as the boys’ school.
[Illustration]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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