2. ALDGATE WARD.
Aldgate Ward consists of the parishes of St.
Katharine Cree, St. James Duke's Place, St.
Katharine Coleman and parts of the parishes of
St. Andrew Undershaft, All Hallows London Wall,
All Hallows Staining and St. Olave, Hart Street.
The principal monuments are the churches of
St. Andrew Undershaft and St. Katharine Cree
and the Synagogue. A portion of the Roman wall
of the city is preserved in Nos. 18–20 Jewry Street
(see London, Vol. III, p. 85).
Ecclesiastical
(1) Parish Church of St. Andrew Undershaft stands on the E. side of St. Mary Axe.
The walls are of rag-stone rubble partly cemented,
with limestone dressings and the roofs are covered
with lead. The lower part of the Tower was built
in the 15th century, but the rest of the church,
consisting of Chancel, Nave, North and South Aisles,
was re-built between the years 1520 and 1532.
The North Vestry was added in the 17th century.
The tower was largely re-built in 1830 and the
church has been much restored in more recent
times.
Among the fittings the monuments and glass
are noteworthy.
Architectural Description—The Chancel and
Nave (102½ ft. by 21½ ft.) are structurally undivided (Plate 51), the chancel occupying the three
E. bays and projecting one bay beyond the aisles.
The E. window has been completely restored and
is of five trefoiled and transomed lights with
tracery in a four-centred head. The N. and S.
arcades are each of six bays with four-centred
arches of two moulded orders divided by a casement; the columns have each four attached
shafts with moulded capitals and bases. The
clearstorey has on each side six windows each of
three cinque-foiled lights in a segmental-pointed
head with moulded reveals, apparently all restored.
The W. window is uniform with the E. window
and has been completely restored.
The North Aisle (14 ft. wide) has in the E. wall
a window of four cinque-foiled lights in a four-centred head with moulded reveals and external
label. In the N. wall are five similar windows;
the sills, excepting the westernmost, have been
raised about a yard; below the easternmost is
a 17th-century square-headed doorway opening
into the Vestry; between the second and third
windows is an early 16th-century doorway with
chamfered jambs and four-centred head opening
into the rood-loft staircase, which is enclosed in a
semi-octagonal turret of cemented brick; the
upper doorway is blocked; below the westernmost window is a partly restored doorway with
moulded jambs and four-centred arch in a square
head with a moulded label; the spandrels are
carved with foliage. In the W. wall is a window
similar to that in the E. wall.
Church of St Andrew, Undershaft. E.C.
The South Aisle (average width 14 ft.) has in the
E. wall one window, and in the S. wall five windows,
all similar to those in the N. aisle; all the sills
have been raised to a higher level as in the N. aisle.
The North Vestry is a late 17th-century addition;
the walls are of brick covered with cement. The
N. and W. walls have each a square-headed window,
and in the E. wall is a square-headed doorway.
The South-west Tower (12 ft. square) is of four
stages (Plate 50), of which the top stage is entirely
modern and the others much restored. It stands
partly within the area of the S. aisle, and the
projecting plinth along the whole of the E. wall,
together with a blocked window in the same
wall, show that this face was external before
the rebuilding of the church in 1532. The ground-stage has in the E. wall a blocked window
of one light with an elliptical head; in the
W. wall is a similar window, but open and
with a cinque-foiled head. In the N. wall is
a 15th-century arch, moulded and four-centred
and resting on moulded responds, each with
an attached shaft with moulded capital and
base; the latter probably re-set when the floor-level was raised. In the S. wall is a restored doorway with a pointed arch in a square head. The
second stage has in the S. wall a restored window
of two cinque-foiled lights in a two-centred head
with a moulded label. The third stage has in the
N. wall a modern doorway, and in the S. and W.
walls a restored window of two cinque-foiled lights
in a square head with a moulded label. At the
N.W. angle of the Tower is a projecting stair-turret; it is entered from the aisle by a four-centred doorway with its threshold below the
present floor-level.
The Roof of the body of the church is flat and
boarded on the soffit and coved at the sides;
the boarding is divided into six and a half bays by
moulded principals springing from moulded corbel-capitals on the side walls; each bay is divided by
moulded ribs into sixteen square panels; at the
intersections of the ribs are carved bosses mostly
flowers or foliage, but with a Paschal Lamb carved
on the centre bosses, excepting the westernmost
bay, and a number with repainted shields-of-arms
of St. George, St. Andrew, the City of London
and the See of London. The roof of the N.
aisle is flat and is divided into square bays by
moulded principals, middle purlin and wall-plates;
each bay is divided into four square panels by
moulded ribs; at the intersections of both the
principals and ribs are angels with blank shields.
The roof of the S. aisle is a low-pitched gable
with heavy principals and purlin, and open rafters,
apparently all modern.
Fittings—Bells: six and clock-bell; 1st by
Anthony Bartlett, 1669; 2nd, 3rd and 6th by
Robert Mot, 1597; 4th by the same founder,
1600, and 5th by Brian Eldridge, 1650. Books:
In vestry—including Foxe's Acts and Monuments,
Raleigh's History of the World, Erasmus' Paraphrase, etc. Brasses and Indent: Brasses. In
N. aisle—on E. wall, (1) to Nycolas Leveson,
sheriff, 1539, and Denys (Bodley) his wife, 1560,
kneeling figures of man and woman, eight sons
and ten daughters, two labels and three shields-of-arms (a) azure a fesse wavy argent between
three leaves or, for Leveson quartering argent
a cheveron gules between three cinqfoils sable,
for Prestwood; (b) (a) impaling argent five martlets
saltirewise sable a chief azure with three crowns
or therein for Bodley; (c) Bodley; indent of the
Trinity; the whole set in a round-headed panel;
see also monument (3). Indent. In churchyard
—at E. end, of two figures and inscription-plate
and two shields, slab broken. Clock: over lobby
of N. doorway, but formerly on front of organ,
square case with cornice and gilt scroll-work in
spandrels, etc., late 17th-century. Doors and
Door-cases: To N. doorway—lobby with two-fold
panelled doors flanked by fluted Corinthian half-columns supporting entablature and segmental
pediment, late 17th-century, outer door, of two
panelled leaves studded with nails, early 17th-century. To S. doorway of tower—lobby with
two panelled doors under an elliptical head and
flanked by fluted Corinthian half-columns supporting an entablature, front continued across to walls
of tower and enclosing two cupboards; outer
doors of two panelled leaves with strap-hinges
and moulded ribs studded with nails; on meetingstyle of W. leaf, panelled buttress with crocketed
finals, 15th or early 16th-century, iron ringknocker with lion's head and ornamental keyhole plate, 15th-century. Doorway to vestry
with moulded and panelled architrave, moulded
cornice and panelled door, late 17th-century;
to stair-turret of tower, plain battened door,
15th-century. Font: by Nicholas Stone (Plate 11),
octagonal bowl of white veined marble, octagonal
stem of black marble with square moulded base.
Cover, of oak, octagonal with moulded and
panelled sides and cherub-heads at angles, upper
stages with concave faces and moulded angle-ribs,
cornice and small cupola with finial and vase
17th-century. Font-enclosure with moulded upper
and lower rails, panelled standards and turned
and twisted balusters, late 17th-century, probably
old communion rails re-used. Glass: In the
windows of the aisles a series of shields-of-arms
of contributors to the rebuilding of 1532, and
evidently part of the original glazing except
those in the E. window of the N. aisle, which are
modern. Many of the shields are incomplete. In
easternmost window of the N. aisle, four shields—(a)
Leveson quartering Prestwood, (b) the Merchant
Taylors' Company, ancient arms (Plate 15), (c)
apparently gules a fesse engrailed between three
boars' heads argent, lower half of shield white glass,
quartering azure three lions argent, (d) azure a fesse
quarterly sable and argent between three ragged
staves (?) quartering argent a cheveron gules between
three water-bougets sable, a molet for difference. In
the second window four shields—(a) the Mercers'
Company, (b) azure a cheveron or between two eagles
or in chief and a lion passant or in base, on the
cheveron three roundels gules, the middle one charged
with a leopard's head argent and the others with a
scallop argent for ? Nicholls, above it a shield as
first half of (c) in second window in S. wall, (c) the
Staple of Calais, and above it a shield as in the last
item, (d) France and England quarterly quartering
2 and 3 de Burgh and 4 Mortimer. In fourth window
four shields—(a) quarterly fessewise indented argent
and gules, a bend azure with three crosslets fitchy
or thereon in chief a ring counter-coloured, for
Acton, (b) the Merchant Venturers' Company,
(c) Leveson, (d) the Bakers' Company, ancient
arms. In W. window of N. aisle, recently removed
from the third window of N. wall, four shields—
(a) the same as (d) in third window of S. wall,
very incomplete, (b) ermine a cheveron azure
between three wheat-sheaves or for Masterson impaling quarterly 1 and 4 azure, a fesse [quarterly]
argent [and sable] between three leaves or, 2 and 3
argent a cheveron between three wolves' heads razed
sable, (c) argent a cheveron gules [between three
plummets sable] for Jennings impaling quarterly
1 and 4 argent a fesse and in chief a cheveron gules
for Kirton, 2 and 3 argent a fesse between three
charges (hawks' hoods?) gules now reversed, (d)
the quartered shield of Leveson impaling a fragmentary coat party fessewise azure and gules in
lower half three martlets or a chief or with
three crowns (gules?) therein. In E. window of
S. aisle—four shields (a) the Staple of Calais
but dexter half of the field replaced by part of
another shield gules three martlets argent a chief
or, (b) the Mercers' Company, (c) Henry VIII,
(d) City of London. In second window of S. wall,
four shields—(a) merchants' mark probably for Jennings (Plate 15), (b) Jennings impaling the quarterly
coat of Kirton and another (see (c) in W. window
of N. aisle), (c) azure a lion argent billety sable a chief
or, for Goldwell, impaling argent a lion gules
over all a bend sable with three crosslets fitchy argent
thereon, for Watton (Plate 15), (d) the Merchant
Taylors' Company. In third window, four shields—
(a) the impaled coat of (d) incomplete, (b) the
Merchant Taylors' Company, ancient arms, (c) Jennings (Plate 15), (d) argent a fesse between three rings
gules with three covered cups or on the fesse for
Draper impaling argent a leopard's head gules
between two flowers or trees vert all between five choughs
sable. In fourth window four shields—(a) the City
of London, (b) Jennings, (c) argent a cheveron
sable between three moors' heads with three crosslets
argent on the cheveron impaling argent a cheveron
sable between three covered cups or, (d) a quarterly coat made up of fragments. In fifth window
(formerly in the first window) four shields—(a)
Jennings, (b) the Merchant Taylors' Company, (c)
the Staple of Calais, (d) Jennings. In W. window
of nave (Plate 53)—in the upper lights five large
figures of Edward VI, Elizabeth, James I, Charles I
and William III, with the names and dates of the
deaths of the first four in late 17th-century characters, and the name and date Charles II, 1660,
erroneously, under the last, in later characters.
Figures represented standing in niches with
elaborate canopies, clad in their appropriate
costumes, and all crowned except Edward whose
crown lies beside him. Under the figures, quarries
with initials, ER, ER, JR, CR and W.R. In
the three middle lower lights a large achievement
of the Stuart royal arms with lion and unicorn
supporters holding banners with the crosses of
St. George and St. Andrew respectively. In the
two outer lights Garters enclosing shields (S.) of
France and England quarterly and (N.) arms of
William III. In lower parts of lights from S. to
N. (a) arms of See of London under a mitre, (b) Star
of the Order of the Garter, (c) the Jewel of the
Order of the Thistle (with figure of St. Andrew),
(d) the Star of the Order of the Thistle and (e) a
shield-of-arms of Antrobus, crest a unicorn's
head. In heads of lights, badges of rose, fleur-de
lis, harp, etc. Remainder of lights filled in with
sloping bands containing mottoes—"Dieu et
mon droit" under Edward and Elizabeth,
"Pacifici" under James, "In defence" under
Charles, and "Je maintiendrai" under William
—and quarries with initials as in the upper lights.
In tracery, Symbols of the Evangelists, figures of
the Virgin and St. Andrew, roses, etc. All of
the 17th-century and formerly in the E. window.
Monuments and Floor-slabs: In chancel—against
N. wall (1) of Sir Thomas Ofley, 1582, Lord Mayor,
and Joan his wife, 1578 (Plate 23), painted marble,
wall-monument, by Gerard Johnson, with balustraded base, two round-headed niches with kneeling
figures of man and wife, panel in the middle with
figures of three sons, Corinthian columns at sides
supporting entablature with two reclining cherubs
holding skulls, achievement and five shields-of-arms. In N. aisle—on N. wall, (2) of John Stow,
1605, antiquary (Plate 55), marble wall-monument,
by Nicholas Johnson, consisting of square-headed
recess with figure of man seated at a table writing,
niche, with a book attached, to each reveal and
flanked by enriched pilasters supporting entablature and cartouche-of-arms; (3) of Simon Burton,
1593, stone tablet with enriched border, cornice
and cartouche-of-arms, on panel brass plate with
figure of man, two wives, one son and three
daughters; (4) of Alice (Burton) wife successively
of Richard Waterson, Francis Coldocke and Isaac
Bynge, 1616, small marble wall-monument with
kneeling figure of woman at prayer-desk, in
round-headed recess flanked by pilasters supporting cornice, pediment and shield-of-arms; (5) of
Sir Hugh Hamersley, 1636, Lord Mayor, large wall-monument (Plate 23) with kneeling figures of man
in armour and wife in recess with draped canopy.
Composite side columns flanked by standing
figures of men and supporting entablature, on
which are seated figures of women with helms
and shields, broken pediment and cartouche-of-arms; (6) to Sir Christopher Clitherow, 1642,
Lord Mayor and Katherine (Rowland) and Mary
(Campbell), 1645, his wives, also to Mary (Gregory)
wife of James Clitherow, 1662, and her daughter,
square freestone tablet with scrolls, cherub-heads,
fruit and shield-of-arms. In S. aisle—on S. wall,
(7) of Dorothy (Greswold) wife successively to
John Weld and Hugh Offley, 1610, wall-monument
with figure and three shields-of-arms; (8) to
Edward Warner, 1628, marble wall-monument
with Corinthian side columns, entablature, broken
pediment, achievement and eight shields-of-arms;
(9) to Peter Vansittart, 1705, marble tablet with
scrolls, drapery, skulls, cherub-heads and achievement-of-arms; (10) to Margery, wife successively to
Isaack Sutton and Humfry Turner, 1607, and to her
first husband, 1589 (Plate 27), marble tablet with
enriched side pilasters, reeded upper and lower
frieze, achievement and three shields-of-arms;
(11) to Charles Thorold, 1691, also Sir Charles
Thorold his son, 1709, marble tablet with drapery,
cherubs, segmental cornice, cartouche and shield-of-arms; on W. wall, (12) to John Jeffreys, 1688,
marble cartouche with drapery, palms and shield-of-arms; (13) to Geoffrey Jeffreys, 1709, marble
draped tablet with cartouche-of-arms; on N. wall
of tower, (14) to Henry Sykes, 1710, and Margery
(Paynel) his wife, 1694, draped marble tablet with
cherub-heads and achievement-of-arms; (15) to
Humphrey Brooke, M.D., 1693, and John his son,
1687, marble cartouche with drapery, cherub-heads
and achievement-of-arms. In tower, on W. wall,
(16) to Bridget, daughter of Sir Christopher
Clitherow, 1681, marble tablet with scrolls, entablature and segmental pediment, cartouche-of-arms;
(17) to Anthony Abdy [1640] and Abigail his
wife, marble tablet with scrolls, cornice, segmental
pediment, cherub-heads and two cartouches-of-arms, monument signed "Henry Boughton fecit."
Floor-slabs: In churchyard—against E. enclosing
wall, (1) to William Wight, 1672, also four children;
(2) to Humphrey Brooke, 1693, Elizabeth his
widow, 1711, and John his son, 1687, and other
children; (3) to Peter Vansittart, 1705, with achievement-of-arms; (4) to Abraham Sutton, 1675; (5)
to Charles Thorold, 1691, and Anne his wife, 1702;
(6) to M. Datcheler, 1699. Organ (Plates 54 and
28): In S. aisle—of two bays with three towers
of pipes, each bay has oval panel with pierced carving
and an enriched segmental cornice with a reclining
figure of an angel on the top, towers with pierced
carving below cornices and standing on brackets
carved with acanthus and cherub-heads, wainscotted lower part with entablature and richly
carved frieze, said to have been built by Renatus
Harris, 1696, but re-built and added to. Paintings:
In spandrels of arcades—said to be painted scenes
from the life of Christ, 1726, now very black and
indistinguishable. Panelling: In vestry—bolection moulded panelled wainscoting with dado-rail, late 17th-century. Paving: In N. lobby and
round font, of black and white marble squares
late 17th-century. Plate: includes flagon of
1636, two flagons of the same date given 1637;
cup of 1609, given the same year and with shield-of-arms, cup of 1609, paten of 1609, paten of 1627,
alms-dish of 1636 (?) with date 1672, spoon of
1685, and beadle's staff with silver head of figure
of St. Andrew, 1713. Pulpit (Plate 35): hexagonal
with enriched rail and cornice, carved and inlaid
round panel in each face, one with IHS and
Cross in rays, with spandrels richly carved with
flowers, cherub-head at each angle with pendant
of foliage and fruit, stairs with carved and twisted
balusters, on top two double candlesticks of brass
with figures of St. Andrew, late 17th-century.
Seating: pews made up of old material cut down
and altered, churchwardens' pews at W. end
with high backs and carved pierced frieze-panels,
carved scrolls at ends, late 17th-century.
Church of St Katharine Cree.
Condition—Good.
(2) Parish Church of St. Katharine Cree
stands on the N. side of Leadenhall Street at the
eastern angle of Cree Lane. The walls are of
roughly squared rag-stone with free-stone dressings.
The main roof is slated and the aisles are lead-covered. The western respond of the 15th-century S. nave-arcade remains with the western
part of the N. wall. The Tower was probably
re-built in 1504, and the rest of the church was
pulled down in 1628 and re-built on a rather
larger scale. At the close of the 17th century
(probably 1693) the Vestry was added or re-built.
The parapet, cupola and bell-chamber windows
of the tower date from the late 18th century,
and the modern alterations include the removal
of the pierced cresting to the main nave-walls
and a considerable amount of refacing.
The church is of peculiar interest as an example
of Laudian work and the design, a mixture of
Gothic and Renaissance detail, is traditionally
attributed to Inigo Jones.
Architectural Description—On plan the building
is an irregular oblong consisting of a body (93 ft.
average by 21 ft.) and side aisles (13 ft. and 14 ft.
wide respectively), with a tower occupying part
of the W. bay of the S. aisle.
The E. Elevation is largely obscured by modern
buildings. In the centre bay is a rectangular
window, divided by a transom into two portions,
the upper filled with a rose of 16 radiating
lights with a plain circle in the centre and sex-foiled circles in the spandrels. The lower portion
has five upright lights with cinque-foiled heads.
The windows at the E. end of the side aisles are
alike and both blocked; each have three cinque-foiled, square-headed lights, that in the centre
being higher than its fellows. Adjoining the S.E.
angle of the church was an archway to the churchyard, now removed and re-erected against the
east wall of the parish room, N. of the church.
It is square-headed with an eared architrave and
Ionic half-pilasters at the sides, supporting an
entablature and pediment. In the tympanum is
a carved skeleton and an inscription recording
the date 1631 and donor, William Avenon.
Adjoining the N.E. angle of the church is a Vestry,
now enclosed by modern buildings. The old
doorway in the E. wall (now a window) has side-pilasters and a moulded cornice externally.
N. Elevation. The four windows of the N. aisle
are similar in form to the blocked windows at the
E. end, the first window being cut short to avoid
the vestry adjoining. The N. aisle is narrower
in its two western bays (representing the original
width of the church) and is built against, externally.
S. Elevation (Plate 56). The first five bays of
the S. aisle have similar windows but with a Classic
architrave above the side lights. The wall below
each window-sill is brought forward and panelled.
The parapet is modern, and below it runs a cornice
and plain frieze. The clearstorey is finished with a
wooden eaves-cornice and has five three-light windows, on each side, of the same character as the aislewindows. In the last bay on the N. is one of two
equal lights, and the corresponding window on the
south is blocked.
W. Elevation. In the middle is a large blocked
square-headed window of five lights with a transom;
the label rises above the head to form a pediment
and is continued along the wall, at a lower level,
in the form of a cornice; the W. doorway is round-headed with rusticated jambs and moulded cornice.
At the end of the N. aisle is a tall window of two
cinque-foiled lights. A fragment of the 17th-century parapet cresting remains between the
tower and clearstorey walls.
The early 16th-century tower is three stages
high (10 ft. by 9 ft.) with a staircase in the N.W.
angle. In the S. wall of the ground-stage is an
early 17th-century doorway forming the main
entrance to the church; it is round-headed with
moulded architrave and imposts and is flanked by
Ionic columns, supporting an entablature and
modern pediment. In the W. wall is a pointed
window of two cinque-foiled lights. In the N. wall
of the second stage is a 16th-century window of
one trefoiled light, now blocked, and in the S. wall
are two small round-headed windows of 17th-century date. A similar window, now blocked, pierces
the W. wall. The parapet and quoins of the bell-chamber are of the 18th century, as is the timber
bell-cote; the windows are of the same date
externally, but the rear-arches and splays are
mainly of the 16th century. One jamb of the
16th-century stairway-door remains at the N.W.
angle.
Interior (Plate 57)—The internal jambs of the aisle
and end windows have Gothic mouldings. In the
first bay of the N. aisle-wall is an elliptical-headed
doorway of 1693, to the Vestry. The arcades are
of six bays with semi-circular arches, with carved
key-stones, springing from Corinthian columns
with half-columns as responds. The key-stones
of the second arch of each arcade and the fifth
arch on the north are dated 1630, and the soffits of
all are coffered with a carved rose in each compartment. The last bay is narrower than the
rest and the arches here are stilted. Above the
arcades runs a moulded cornice projecting above
the columns on carved stone brackets. The clearstorey above is divided into corresponding bays
by Corinthian pilasters, the jambs and head of
each window having an eared architrave carried
round. The ribbed plaster vault (Plate 56) springs
from the clearstorey-pilasters, the portion over the
two E. bays having lierne ribs in addition. In the
centre of each bay is a painted coat-of-arms beginning with the City of London and followed by the
Fishmongers, Merchant Taylors, Ironmongers,
Clothworkers and Leathersellers. The aisle-vaults
are similar but simpler in character, each bay having
the arms of a City Company in the centre, Mercers,
Drapers, Skinners, Salters and Dyers in the N.
aisle, and Grocers, Goldsmiths, Haberdashers,
Vintners and Brewers in the S. aisle; the vaults
spring from carved stone brackets. The tower
opens into the church by two-centred arches of
two hollow-chamfered orders, with shafted responds, all of early 16th-century date, in the
N. and E. walls. At the N.E. angle of the tower
on its E. face are the moulded capital and the
upper part of a semi-octagonal respond of the
15th century, the remainder of the shaft being
now buried.
Fittings—Books: a common prayer-book of
1662 with a cover and silver clasps apparently
given in 1630, a bible of 168–, given in 1693
Chairs: two, with carved and pierced backs,
carved arms and turned legs, probably late
17th-century. Doors and door-cases: of two
panelled leaves with enriched architrave with
panel inscribed "Ex dono S.C. 1693," with shield-of-arms. The lobby-enclosure to the W. doorway,
now encloses a staircase and cupboards; it is of
three bays with Corinthian pilasters at the angles
supporting an entablature which is continued
eastward to form the base of the organ-gallery,
the front of which is supported on two Corinthian
columns; the E. face of the lobby-enclosure has
a doorway with an elliptical head and panelled
door of two folds, flanked by fluted Doric pilasters,
late 17th-century. Font (Plate 11): octagonal
marble bowl of ovolo section with three cartouches
of the arms of Sir John Gayer (Lord Mayor in 1646),
stem consisting of an elaborately scrolled pedestal
with panels of grey marble and a square Ionic
capital; cover of oak with panelled sides, enriched
scrolls at the angles and dentilled cornice, ogee-shaped upper part with enriched ribs at the angles,
octagonal capping and ball, c. 1630–40. Glass:
In 'rose' of E. window—round middle compartment, sixteen radiating panels and small tracery-lights all with conventional designs of roundels,
foliage, and strap-work, 17th-century. In N.
aisle—in second window in E. wall, medallion with
achievement of the Cordwainers' Company, 17th-century; in westernmost window, oval cartouche
with quartered shield-of-arms, 17th-century; in W.
window, ten medallions made up with fragments—
(a) the Hebrew name Jehovah, (b) two arms holding
a sheaf of arrows, (c and d) fragments only, (e) shield
of the City of London, (f, g, and h) three shields-of-arms including two of Sir Edward Barkham, (i) a
couched ram, (j) an architectural ornament; from
St. James Duke's Place, erected there in 1622.
In S. aisle—in second window in S. wall, medallion
with achievement-of-arms of Chauncey (?) and date
1630; in fourth window, arms, etc., of the Clothworkers' Company, 17th-century. Lectern: made
up of late 17th-century work, including carved
scrolls and carved panels to desk. Monuments: In
N. aisle—on N. wall, (1) to Dr. John Tovey, early
17th-century, small tablet flanked by enriched pilasters, with entablature and cartouche; (2) to Samuel
Marshall, M.A., organist 1713–14, draped marble
tablet with shield-of-arms. In S. aisle on S. wall,
(3) of Sir Nicholas Throkmorton, 1570, marble wall-monument (Plate 20) consisting of shelf supporting
recumbent effigy in armour on rush-mattress,
Doric columns at sides supporting entablature
with achievement and two shields-of-arms, enriched back-piece against wall; (4) to Bartholomew
Ellnor, 1636, and Alice (Cheney) his wife, marble
tablet (Plate 25) flanked by allegorical figures and
surmounted by segmental pediment, three shields-of-arms; (5) to Richard Spencer, 1667, black marble
tablet (Plate 27) with round wreath-panel, flanked by
Corinthian columns supporting entablature, broken
pediment and shield-of-arms. Organ: built by
Bernard Schmidt, 1683 or 1686, but subsequently
altered, case with panelled lower part finished with
enriched cornice, upper part with three towers of
pipes resting on corbels carved with cherub-heads and with pierced carving at top surmounted
by enriched entablatures, the pipes between the
towers have carving at top and bottom and the
pediments to the cornice support two cherubs.
Paintings: In S. aisle—three wooden panels with
painted figures of (a) woman with celestial crown
and staff, (b and c) angels with trumpets, early
18th-century. Panelling: On E. and side walls,
panelled wainscot with moulded capping. Plate
(Plate 32): includes two flagons of 1630, given 1631,
two cups of 1626, a cup of 1630 given the same year,
two patens of 1626, a spoon dated 1631 and four
pewter alms-dishes, with Tudor rose, royal Stuart
arms and initials C.R., royal badges and initials
C.R. and Prince of Wales' feathers with initials
C.P. respectively, early 17th-century. Pulpit:
hexagonal, enriched panelled sides with enriched
capping and base, ogee-shaped base on hexagonal
stem with moulded base; sounding-board of same
form with enriched and dentilled cornice and inlaid
soffit, early 18th-century. Rainwater-heads: two
on S. wall, moulded and dated 1683. Royal
Arms: In N. aisle—Stuart arms (Plate 16) of wood
painted and gilt. Seating: pews made up of old
material cut down and altered, early 18th-century;
against N. and S. walls, continuous wooden bench
with turned legs, also in various parts of the church
eight forms or benches, with turned legs; stalls
made up of old panelling with carved and pierced
frieze-panels, carved scrolls at ends, late 17th or
early 18th-century. Sundial: On S. wall, large
incised dial, inscribed "Non sine lumine," erected
1706.
Condition—Good.
(3) Synagogue of the Spanish and Portuguese
Jews, stands in the W. angle between Bevis Marks
and Heneage Lane. The walls are of brick with
painted stone dressings and the roofs are covered
with slates and lead. A synagogue was established
in Creechurch Lane in 1657 and enlarged in 1674.
The present site was bought in 1699 and the existing building erected in the years 1700 and 1701,
some of the fittings of the older building being
transferred to the new structure.
The building is of great interest as a synagogue
of the beginning of the 18th century, practically
unaltered and containing all its original fittings.
The Synagogue. Bevis Marks.
Architectural Description—The synagogue is a
rectangular building (80 ft. by 50 ft.) with galleries
round three sides. The Elevations are in red brick
with stone dressings, a plain plinth, moulded band
between the storeys, a stone cornice, and a plain
parapet. The W. front has a central doorway with
square head, moulded architrave and panelled
key-block inscribed A.M. 5461–1701; above the
doorway is a cornice and segmental pediment
resting on stone brackets and with the inscription
in Hebrew, in the tympanum, "Sanctified to the
Lord, Holy Congregation, Gate of Heaven, New
Year 5462." Flanking the doorway are windows
with moulded architraves, segmental heads and
plain key-stones. In the upper storey are three
windows, one with an elliptical head and the other
two with round heads; all have architraves and
plain key-blocks. The N. and S. elevations have
each five windows in each storey similar to the
corresponding windows in the W. front, those to
the upper range being all round-headed. The E.
wall has windows in the upper storey similar to
those in the W. front; the lower storey is blank
except for an opening to the heating-cellar.
Interior (Plate 58)—The plain plaster ceiling
has a series of rosettes, from some of which hang
the candelabra; against the walls a plaster cornice
is carried round the building. The mouldings of
the beams of the gallery fronts are carried along
the E. wall as far as the Echal. The heads of the
lower windows on the N. and S. are groined into the
plaster soffits of the galleries.
Fittings—All of early 18th-century date, unless
otherwise stated. Banco (pew for the Wardens):
against N. wall, under gallery—raised on two steps
and consisting of chest with panelled front, modern
seats and backs for five persons; at each end,
against wall, a panelled pilaster; front enclosure
of moulded panelling with book-shelf and at two
angles a fluted Doric column supporting an arcade
of three elliptical arches with key-blocks and pendants, moulded cornice against ceiling of gallery;
similar arch at each end of pew springing from
pilaster against wall. Chairs: adjoining staircase to gallery—Beadle's seat, consisting of small
chest with panelled sides, back posts carried up to
form back, with rails and pierced splats, shaped and
scrolled arms. Under fourth bay of N. gallery—
similar chair, now incorporated in bench. Candelabra (Plate 4): large central candelabrum,
brought from Amsterdam, of brass, with two tiers
each of ten branches, moulded central shaft
with large ball at base; two candelabra of similar
type but slightly smaller; four candelabra also
of similar type but with eight branches in each
tier. Candlesticks (Plate 4): On railing of
Echal—six large solid brass candlesticks, four of
them inscribed, P.M. and R. Pereira D. Ks. and
brought from Amsterdam. On railing of Tebah—
four solid brass candlesticks, similar to above,
but uninscribed. On book-rest, in front of seat
of Chief Rabbi—pair of small brass candlesticks.
Doors: In W. doorway—of two panelled folds with
moulded framing. See also under Panelling.
Echal (fitting enclosing the Ark): Against E. wall—
in form of a reredos (Plate 59) of three bays,
divided and flanked by fluted Corinthian pilasters,
the middle bay having a pair of columns of the
same order, in addition; the columns and pilasters
support a continuous entablature and stand on
panelled pedestals; the middle bay, under a
round arch with carved spandrels, has moulded
panelling including the two panelled doors with
brass hinges, to the Ark; the side bays each
contain a panelled centre-piece with an enriched
entablature, pedestal, above, flanked by swags
and a band of carving under the main entablature,
with a central shell, flanked by branches of bay;
in the centre-piece is a panelled cupboard-door;
above the main entablature, over the middle bay,
is a centre-piece flanked by carved pilasters and
richly carved scrolls, supporting an entablature
and three carved vases; on the centre-piece within
round-headed panels are painted (by Cordoueiro)
the ten Commandments and the inscription
"Know (thou) before whom thou standest," all in
Hebrew; above the side pilasters of the Echal are
vases similar to those on the centre-piece. The
base of the Echal is painted to represent marble and
the mouldings and enrichment of the upper part are
picked out in gold. The three cupboards are lined
with stamped leather. The enclosure in front of
the Echal has wooden rails with quadrant-angles,
turned and twisted balusters, moulded rails and
eight panelled standards on which rest the candlesticks described above. Gallery and Staircase.
Gallery: On N., S. and W. sides of building—
supported by Doric columns and square piers under
the N.W. and S.W. angles; continuous entablature
under gallery-front, with pedestal over each
column or pier, having conventional carving on its
face; gallery-front, between the pedestals, filled
with plain wooden trellis-work, and finished with
a moulded rail. Staircase: with close moulded
string, turned balusters and square newels.
Mantles (Plate 60): four in all, (a) of brocade
with a deep fringe and three long panels of red
velvet richly embroidered with conventional
designs in gold thread; one panel has a representation of an Echal with the scroll of the Law
and surmounted by a crown; the second panel has
a table with shew-bread, surmounted by a cartouche inscribed in Hebrew "Table of the Daily
Bread" and a crown; the third panel has the
tables of the Law surmounted by a crown, perhaps
Portuguese of c. 1600; (b) ground-work of golden
silk embroidered in gold thread, three panels of
red velvet with a conventional design of floral type
with large crowns, perhaps French, 17th-century;
(c) ground-work of silk brocade, panels of green
velvet embroidered with a thistle-design each
having an oval with the monogram M.D.C. (?)
surmounted by a crown, late 17th or early 18th-century; (d) ground-work of silk brocade, panels
of blue velvet embroidered in gold and silver
thread with conventional designs and round panels
with the monogram M.P.L.S. (?) and surmounted
by a crown, c. 1700. Painting: In modern vestryroom—painting on canvas by Aaron de Chaves,
1674, representing the tables of the Law, in Hebrew
and Portuguese, flanked by figures of Moses and
Aaron. Panelling: Panelled dado round walls of
ground-floor of building and round walls of gallery.
Inside W. doorway—panelled enclosure forming
porch, two panels high with moulded cornice; panelled doors in E., N. and S. sides; smaller panelled
enclosure to N. and S. of porch, also with panelled
doors and perhaps a slightly later addition. Poor-boxes: In various parts of building—four wooden
boxes, two with original iron straps and two with
modern lids; also two iron boxes with straps.
Scroll of the Law: on skin, fixed to silver rollers
with moulded handles and ball-finials, inscription
on handle, "Given by Jacob Escudero in 5462."
Seating: Most of the seats consist of a chest,
divided into lockers, each with a brass lockscutcheon and supported by short turned or
twisted legs; the backs have plain framing with
shaped and pierced splats, a moulded capping and
shaped arms at the end of each chest; other seats
have plain splats. Other seats, probably of late
17th-century date, have no chests, but turned legs
and square stretchers. Against walls of ground
floor is a bench with panelled front and lockers.
In gallery the seats are in the form of benches with
shaped supports; the backs appear to have been
added; at W. end in one row with a series of
lockers, having panelled fronts. Tebah (dais or
rostrum for the Readers): consists of a rectangular
platform (Plate 92) with rounded angles approached by two short flights of stairs added
c. 1730; platform enclosed by a balustrade with
twisted balusters, moulded rails and square posts;
four posts support the candlesticks above described,
the remaining posts have solid brass acorn-shaped
terminals; towards front of platform is the
reading-desk, with panelled sides, moulded base
and solid ball-terminals of brass at the four angles,
on W. side of desk are double panelled doors with
brass hinges and scutcheon-plates; on W. side of
platform is a settle or bench with lockers and
panelled front. On E. side of the Tebah rails is
the Chief Rabbi's seat, consisting of a panelled
settle, shaped arms and a panelled enclosure.
Miscellanea: Eight Homer Boards (for indicating
the date of the Homer) and consisting of parchment scrolls on rollers, in a wooden case. Four
wooden Panels with moulded frames and Hebrew
inscriptions indicating the various feasts.
Condition—Good.
Secular
(4) House, No. 7, on W. side of Jewry Street,
80 yards S. of Aldgate, is of three storeys with
attics; the walls are of timber-framing and brick
and the roofs are tiled. It was built late in the
17th century. The E. front is of brick with bands
between the storeys; the back is gabled and
weather-boarded. Inside the building, the original
staircase has turned balusters and moulded strings.
There are also some original doors and exposed
timber-framing.
Condition—Fairly good.
(5) House, No. 13, on the W. side of Jewry
Street, 30 yards S. of (4), is of three storeys with
attics; the walls are of timber-framing and brick
and the roofs are tiled. It was built late in the
17th century, but has been much altered. There
is an old rainwater-head in front; the back has
a weather-boarded gable.
Condition—Fairly good.
(6) House, No. 42, on the N. side of Crutched
Friars, 60 yards E.N.E. of St. Olave's church, is
of four storeys with attics and cellars; the walls
are of brick with stone dressings and the roofs are
tiled. It was built early in the 18th century and
has a carriage-way through the eastern part of
the house. The S. front has a band between the
first and second floors and a cornice between the
second and third floors; the front is divided
into bays by rusticated pilasters, and probably
extended further to the E. than at present. The
windows have square heads of rubbed brick with
key-stones. The back elevation has brick bands
between the storeys.
Condition—Good.
(7) House, No. 39, on N. side of Crutched Friars,
15 yards W. of (6), is of three storeys with cellars
and attics; the walls are of brick and the roofs are
tiled. It was built late in the 17th century, but
has been refronted in the 18th century. The back
elevation has a brick band between the upper
storeys and a coved eaves-cornice of plaster;
there is a small projecting wing on the W. side.
Inside the building, the original staircase (Plate 40)
has twisted balusters, square newels and straight
strings. There are also some original panelled
doors.
Condition—Good.
(8) House, No. 25, on the S. side of Crutched
Friars, 25 yards S.E. of (6), is of four storeys with
cellars; the walls are of brick with some stone dressings. It was built early in the 18th century. The
N. front has stone string-courses between the
storeys, but on the S. side is entirely of brick.
Condition—Bad (unoccupied).
(9) House, No. 72, on the N. side of Leadenhall
Street, 80 yards E. of St. Katharine Cree Church,
is of four storeys with attics and cellars; the walls
are of brick and the roofs are covered with slates.
It was built late in the 17th or early in the 18th
century. The S. front has brick bands between
the storeys and a modern shop-front.
Condition—Good.