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
1874
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
1874
In the shadow of the London Wall, where medieval Smithfield still hums with the ghosts of centuries, stands St. Bartholomew's Priory Church: a jewel of Norman architecture founded by an unlikely saint. Rahere was a court minstrel, a jongleur who sang for his supper among thedissolute circles of Henry I's London, until a vision of St. Bartholomew sent him wandering to the East. He returned to found, around 1113, both a priory and a hospital for the sick and poor of the city. This 1874 account resurrects that story in rich detail, tracing the priory's architectural evolution through the centuries, its dissolution in the rapacious reign of Henry VIII, and the strange survival of Bartholomew Fair, once Europe's greatest marketplace, which flourished on the church's doorstep for five hundred years. The text ventures beyond Smithfield to explore Canonbury Tower in Islington, the prior's country seat, now swallowed by Victorian London. G.J. Evans's illustrations lend Victorian precision to the Gothic arches and crumbling monuments. For anyone who has wandered Smithfield's streets, breathed the tannery-smoke air of Cloth Fair, or wondered at the priory's weathered stones, this is an indispensable guide to London's most atmospheric corner.
About 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
Chapter Summaries
- 1
- Rahere, a former jester to Henry I, obtained permission to found a Priory and Hospital on a marshy site outside London walls. After a personal conversion, a pilgrimage to Rome, and a near-death experience, he vowed to found a hospital, and a vision of St. Bartholomew then directed him to build a church at Smithfield.
- 2
- Rahere, though of humble origin, was known for his purity of conscience and benevolence. He initially feigned idiocy to hide his true intentions from enemies at court and to gain public sympathy, as he faced immense difficulties in gathering materials and building on the challenging marshland site.
- 3
- Rahere eventually abandoned his feigned idiocy and began his apostolic work, leading to the founding of the church and an adjacent hospital in March 1113, completed around 1123. Rahere served as the first Prior for 22 years and 6 months, followed by Thomas, Gregory, Peter, Robert, Gilbert de Woledon, John Baccen, and Brother Hugh, detailing the succession up to the late 13th century.
Key Themes
- Faith and Piety
- The narrative begins with Rahere's profound spiritual conversion, pilgrimage to Rome, and a divine vision that compels him to found the Priory and Hospital. His life is presented as a testament to deep devotion, purity of conscience, and unwavering commitment to God's will, which underpins the very existence and purpose of the institutions.
- Charity and Benevolence
- A core theme is the dedication to charitable works, exemplified by Rahere's vow to found a hospital for the poor, sick, and vulnerable. St. Bartholomew's Hospital's enduring mission, its growth in serving thousands annually, and the specific care for pregnant women and orphaned children highlight the continuous commitment to alleviating suffering and providing aid.
- Perseverance and Overcoming Adversity
- Rahere's journey is marked by immense challenges, from building on a treacherous morass and contending with enemies at court to feigning idiocy for protection. The Priory itself faced internal rebellions and the ultimate threat of dissolution, yet its core mission and structures, like the Hospital, endured and adapted, showcasing remarkable resilience.
Characters
- Rahere (Raherus)(protagonist)
- A former jester and minstrel to King Henry I, who underwent a spiritual conversion and founded St. Bartholomew's Priory and Hospital in Smithfield.
- Henry the First(supporting)
- The King of England who granted Rahere permission and the site to found St. Bartholomew's Priory and Hospital.
- St. Bartholomew(supporting)
- The Apostle of Jesus Christ who appeared to Rahere in a vision, commanding him to found a church in his name at Smithfield.
- Alfun(supporting)
- An old man who built St. Giles, Cripplegate, advised Rahere during his difficulties, and became the first hospitaller of St. Bartholomew's Hospital.
- William Bolton(supporting)
- A notable Prior of St. Bartholomew from 1509-1532, known for restoring Rahere's tomb, building an oriel window, and rebuilding Canonbury Manor.
- Robert Fuller(supporting)
- The last Prior of St. Bartholomew, who also held the title of Abbot of Waltham Holy Cross, and surrendered the Priory to King Henry VIII.
