WHITE FRIARS, a number of lanes, alleys, and passages extending from the west side of Water lane to the Temple; and from Fleet street to the Thames. It took its name from the White Friars, or Carmelites, who had their house in this place next to Fleet street, and their garden probably extended from thence to the water side. They were cloathed in white, and having made a vow of poverty lived by begging. Their convent was founded by Sir Richard Gray, Knt. ancestor to the Lord Gray of Codnor in Derbyshire in the year 1241, and was afterwards rebuilt by Hugh Courtney, Earl of Devonshire, about the year 1350. In the conventual church were interred many persons of distinction. This convent and its church were surrendered to Henry VIII. in the thirtieth year of his reign, when they were valued at no more than 26 _l._ 7_s._ 3_d._ and being soon after pulled down, other houses were built in their room. _Maitland._ In the year 1608, the inhabitants obtained several liberties, privileges and exemptions by a charter granted them by King James I. and this rendered the place an asylum for insolvent debtors, cheats, and gamesters, who gave to this district the name of Alsatia: but the inconveniences the city suffered from this place of refuge, and the riotous proceedings carried on there, at length induced the legislature to interpose; and to deprive them of privileges so pernicious to the community. WHITE FRIARS _dock_, White Friars. WHITE FRIARS _stairs_, White Friars. WHITEHALL, a palace originally built by Hubert de Burgh, Earl of Kent, who in the year 1243, bequeathed it to the Black Friars in Chancery lane, Holbourn, in whose church he was interred. But in 1248, these friars having disposed of it to Walter de Grey, Archbishop of York, he left it to his successors, the Archbishops of that see, for their city mansion, and hence it obtained the name of York place. However, the royal palace at Westminster suffering greatly by fire in the reign of Henry VIII. and that Prince having a great inclination for York place, purchased it of Cardinal Wolsey, in the year 1530. Henry had no sooner obtained the possession of this palace than he enclosed the park for the accommodation of both palaces, and built the beautiful gate opposite the banqueting house (which has been lately pulled down) to which he added a magnificent gallery, for the accommodation of the Royal Family, the nobility and great officers of state; for there they sat to see the tournaments performed in the tiltyard; and soon after the King, who had a greater taste for pleasure, than for elegance of building, ordered a tennis-court, a cock-pit, and bowling greens to be formed, with other places for different kinds of diversion. From this time Whitehall continued the royal residence of the Sovereigns of England; and Hentzner in his _Itinerarium_ says it was a structure truly royal: and it was furnished in a peculiar manner.