15. CRIPPLEGATE WARD WITHIN.
Cripplegate Ward Within consists of the parishes
of St. Albans Wood Street, St. Alphege London
Wall, St. Mary the Virgin Aldermanbury and St.
Michael Wood Street, and parts of the parishes of
All Hallows Honey Lane, St. John Zachary, St.
Laurence Jewry, St. Mary Magdalene Milk Street,
St. Mary Staining, St. Olave Silver Street, St.
Peter Westcheap and St. Vedast Foster Lane.
The principal monuments are the churches of St.
Alban Wood Street and St. Mary Aldermanbury,
the Brewers' Hall and the Parish Clerks' Hall. An
angle-bastion of the Roman town-wall stands in the
N.W. angle of this ward; the part existing above
ground is entirely of mediæval or later date (see
London, Vol. III, p. 104). A further portion of the
town-wall survives on the N. side of St. Alphege's
churchyard and is partly incorporated in the remains of old St. Alphege church (Monument No. 4).
The part above ground is mediæval and the eastern
part, beyond the church-remains, is capped with
late 15th-century red brick including six merlons;
three crenels are coped with 17th-century slabs of
Portland stone and both wall and merlons have
remains of brick diapering (see London, Vol. III,
p. 90).
Church of St Alban, Wood St. City.
Ecclesiastical
(1) Parish Church of St. Alban, on the E.
side of Wood Street and N. side of Love Lane, is
built of Portland stone and rubble or brickwork,
cement rendered; the tower is faced with ashlar.
The roofs are covered with lead. The church was
re-built in 1633–34 by Inigo Jones and was partially destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. It was
restored or re-built by Sir Christopher Wren in
1682–87, at a cost of £3,165 0s. 8d., the outer walls
of the earlier building being perhaps retained; the
tower is undoubtedly the work of Wren. The
whole building was restored and the apsidal end
to the chancel added in the 19th century. The
church is a good example of late Gothic work, and
amongst the fittings the hour-glass with its stand
and the Laudian altar-frontal are unusual features.
Architectural Description—The Chancel and
Nave (72½ ft. by 19½ ft.) are continuous, the apse
at the E. end being entirely modern. The N. and
S. arcades are each of four bays; the piers have
four engaged shafts divided by hollows and having
moulded capitals and splayed bases; the arches
are moulded and four-centred; the last bay on the
N. is blocked at the back by the tower, and the
last two bays on the S. are similarly blocked by an
adjoining building occupying the site of the old
Rectory. The first three bays of the clearstorey
on both sides have each a pair of windows each of
two cinque-foiled lights in a four-centred head; the
third pair on the S. are blocked; the walls are
finished externally with a moulded Renaissance
cornice of wood. From the capital of the inner
shaft of each pier, rises a triple vaulting-shaft
with moulded base and capital, from which
springs a ribbed lierne-vault of plaster; the ribs
are moulded and have foliage-bosses at the intersections. The W. doorway has a modern head and
original jambs, having externally three grouped
shafts with moulded capitals; the W. window is
of five cinque-foiled and transomed lights with
tracery in a two-centred head; it has been
considerably restored. The W. gable has a
panelled parapet, each panel trefoiled at the head
and base and at the S.W. angle is a pilaster buttress of two recessed orders.
The N. Aisle (56 ft. by 13¾ ft.) is three bays
long with an embattled parapet; in the E. wall is a
window of three cinque-foiled lights in a segmental-pointed head. In the first bay of the N. wall is a
moulded arch with responds, opening to the N.
chapel, and similar to those of the nave-arcades;
in the other two bays are as many windows uniform
with that in the E. wall.
The N. Chapel (21¼ ft. by 12 ft.) has in the E., N.
and W. walls a window similar to those in the N.
aisle, but with segmental heads. In the N. wall is a
doorway with moulded jambs and three-centred
arch under a square external head and a segmental
rear-arch.
The S. Aisle (38½ ft. by 11½ ft.) is two bays long
and has a modern E. window. In the S. wall
are two windows uniform with those in the N.
aisle, but with moulded external labels. The
aisles and chapel are covered by a quadripartite
ribbed vault of plaster in each bay, springing from
pseudo-Classic brackets against the walls and
having small bosses at the intersections.
The Tower (12½ ft. by 11½ ft.), standing at the W.
end of the N. aisle, is of four stages divided by
moulded strings and finished with a modern
pierced parapet and pinnacles. At the angles
are flat pilaster buttresses, with intermediate
buttresses, starting from the base of the third
stage and resting on corbels carved with grotesque
masks; all are tabled back below the parapet.
The N. and W. walls of the ground-stage have
each a window of three trefoiled lights with
tracery in a two-centred head with restored
external labels. In the S. wall is a doorway from
the nave with a moulded four-centred arch in
a square head with quatrefoils in the spandrels.
The second stage has a plain round-headed doorway in the E. wall and two sex-foiled round windows
in the N. and W. walls. The third stage has two
louvered openings in each face, with moulded
external reveals and two-centred heads and
labels. The bell-chamber has two windows in
each face, each of two trefoiled lights with a quatrefoil in the two-centred head and a moulded label.
Fittings—All the fittings not otherwise described
are of late 17th-century date. Altar-frontal: of
black velvet with short fringe and embroidered
date 1631 in middle. Bell: by I.P., 1704. Communion Table: In chancel—with turned and
twisted legs, carved top rail and inlaid top,
from St. Michael's Wood Street. For Communion
Rails see Screen. Doors: in W. doorway, eightpanel, two folds; in N. chapel-doorway, two-panel; in tower doorway, six-panel, two folds,
all panels moulded; plain, with strap-hinges, in
second stage of tower. Hour-glass case and
stand of bronze, case square, with embossed
figures of angels and cherubs, columns at angles
and cresting at each end of crosses and fleurs-de-lis;
stand fixed on pulpit, with square socket and
twisted stem. Monuments: In N. aisle—on N.
wall, (1) to Benjamin Harvey, 1684, marble
tablet with Corinthian columns at sides resting on
enriched consoles and supporting entablature
with broken and scrolled pediment, enclosing
achievement-of-arms; (2) to Richard Wynne,
1688, and Joyce his wife, marble cartouche with
festoons at sides; above, two carved cherubs
holding back curtain and displaying an urn
beneath a canopy; on apron, eagle holding
shield-of-arms; on W. wall, (3) to William Harvie,
1597, and his first two wives, Maudlin, 1581, and
Margarett, 1593, and Robert his eldest son, 1608, and
Robert's wife Sara (Audley), 1638, black marble
tablet (Plate 27) with white marble drapery, pilasters at sides terminating in consoles, and supporting
entablature surmounted by flaming-vases and
achievement-of-arms; below, shelf with carved
consoles, cherub-heads and cartouche-of-arms of
the Grocers' Company flanked by swags, formerly
in St. Michael's Wood Street; (4) to William
Harvey, 1677, alderman and sheriff, 1663, son of
the above Robert, and Hugh his second son, 1679,
white marble tablet flanked by two Corinthian
columns on carved consoles, with entablature,
broken segmental pediment with cartouche-of-arms with cherub-head above, moulded shelf
below, apron carved with palm-branches and
wreath with winged cherub-head, formerly in
St. Michael's Wood Street. In Churchyard—N.
side, to . . . Busby, 16—, later inscription added,
flat slab. Organ-case: in N. aisle—part original,
with three towers of pipes with pierced topcasing, enriched cornice, pierced frieze and cherub-heads on front. Plate: includes cup of 1566 and
cover-paten of 1567, both chased; cup of 1606,
given 1607 by Thomas Savadge; stand-paten of
1606; a pair of flagons of 1608 and 1624, given in
1630 by Mrs. Alice Pallmer to St. Olave Silver
Street; flagon of 1625, given by John Busby in
1626; cup of 1625, given by Lady Margaret
Savill in 1626, with shield-of-arms; a cup of 1630;
a stand-paten of 1640; a strainer-spoon, late 17th-century; a beadle's staff-head of bronze bearing
a figure, perhaps of St. Alban, with Roman
helmet and sword, late 17th-century; four alms-dishes of pewter, mid 18th-century, but each having
in the centre an earlier raised boss with the Stuart
arms and supporters in enamel and three with the
letters C.R. Pulpit (Plate 34): hexagonal, with
panelled sides surmounted by carved festoons, enriched cornice and base-rail and ogee moulded stem;
sounding-board, in N. chapel, with enriched
cornice and inlaid and enriched soffit. Rainwater-heads: two, (1) on E. wall of N. chapel with
leopard's face; (2) on N. wall of N. aisle, dated
1684. Royal Arms: under tower—on E. wall,
carved wood, shield repainted with the Hanoverian Arms. Screen: In N. aisle—at E. end,
made up of 17th-century woodwork, including
carved and pierced panels from pews and turned
and twisted balusters from communion rail.
Seating: In nave—at W. end, one high pew with
moulded panels and pierced carved panels at top.
Miscellanea: In chapel—portions of oak panelling,
some twisted balusters, moulded rail and two
panels with carved frames and segmental heads
inscribed with the Decalogue.
(2) Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Aldermanbury stands on the W. side of Aldermanbury and the N. side of Love Lane. The walls are
of Portland stone and the roofs are covered with
slates and lead. The three lower stages of the
West Tower, except the stair-turret and the outer
facing, are probably of 1437, when the church was
re-built. The church was otherwise entirely destroyed in the Great Fire and re-erected probably
on the old foundations by Sir Christopher Wren,
1670–86, at a cost of £5,237 3s. 6d. A large amount
of ragstone from the ruins of St. Mary Magdalene
Milk Street was incorporated in the new walls.
The building was much restored and altered in
1864; it was again restored in 1923.
Church of St Mary Aldermanbury.
Architectural Description—The church preserves
the mediæval plan of Nave and Chancel (74¼ ft.
by 26 ft.) undivided structurally, North and South
Aisles (9 ft. wide) projecting further westward than
the nave, a West Tower (8 ft. by 10 ft.) and a
modern Vestry.
Elevations. The E. Elevation has rusticated
quoins and is in three bays; the middle bay of slight
projection and greater height than the side bays, the
parapets of which are brought up against it; it has
a rusticated plinth and panelled podium and is
finished with a moulded cornice and pediment
enclosing a tympanum pierced by an elliptical
opening with a border of carved bay-leaves; the
round-headed central window has an eared architrave supported on either side by a large and
enriched scroll-bracket; the side bays have each
a modern window with a blocked 17th-century
doorway below; the doorways are round-headed
with eared architraves, scrolled keystones, moulded
cornice and pediments and carved foliage enclosed
by scrolls in the spandrels of the door-heads; the
parapets have been considerably altered, but retain
at the angles pedestals surmounted by pine-apple
ornaments. The N. Elevation has a plain parapet
and is in five bays with a round-headed window in
each of the first four bays filled with modern
tracery and a circular window in the last; in the
middle bay is a semi-circular clearstorey opening.
The S. Elevation has a plain parapet surmounted
by modern pierced stonework and a pedestal
finished with a pine-apple ornament at either end;
it has five round-headed windows uniform with
those in the N. elevation but with eared architraves,
and between the last two a circular window with
a square-headed doorway below with moulded
architrave, panel keystone, moulded cornice and
segmental pediment supported on curved console
brackets. The W. Elevation has in each of the
side bays a round-headed window similar to those
in the N. and S. walls, above which the walls are
finished with a plain raking parapet terminating
against the tower in a volute. The W. Tower
(10¼ ft. by 8 ft.) is of four stages and is surmounted
by a clock-turret and weather-vane; the ground-stage has in the N. wall a segmental-headed doorway and in the S. wall a round-headed window;
the second stage is finished by a moulded string
and has round-headed windows in the N. and S.
walls and a round-headed opening in the E. wall.
The third stage has a round-headed opening in the
E. wall and a round window in the N. wall. The
bell-chamber has in each wall a round-headed
window with moulded architrave, modern tracery
and, below the sill, an apron with a sunk panel
on the face; this stage has rusticated angles and
is finished with a modillioned cornice surmounted
by a plain parapet projecting at the angles and
supporting a modern pierced parapet. The Clockturret is four-sided and of timber covered with lead;
it is in two stages divided by a moulded cornice and
has a pyramidal roof with concave sides surmounted
by a vane; the lower stage has a clock-dial on the
S. and E. sides, and the upper stage has a round
headed opening on each side with a moulded
architrave; the lower part of each opening is
filled in with a balustrade of turned balusters.
Interior (Plate 77): The church and nave are
divided from the aisle by colonnades of five
bays with Composite columns standing on simple
moulded bases with octagonal plinths and supporting an entablature consisting only of an architrave
and enriched and modillioned cornice which is
stopped against the E. and W. walls. In the
W. wall of the nave is a round-headed archway
opening into the tower, with panelled architrave and
carved imposts; in the W. end of the N. wall of the
N. aisle are two doorways opening into the vestry,
one square-headed and the other modern. The
chancel and nave are covered by a plaster barrel-vault intersected across the middle bay by a
similar vault con-centric with the two semi-circular
clearstorey windows in the N. and S. walls; the
bays of the vault are marked by coffered bands
with flower enrichment, and each bay is sub-divided
into three panels by mouldings; each panel has a
large central plaster enrichment of leaves, etc.,
circular in the middle panel and lozenge-shaped
in those on either side. The aisles have flat
plaster ceilings divided into panels by beams from
the columns to the side walls; in the middle of each
bay is a round ornament.
Fittings—All fittings, unless otherwise stated,
are of late 17th-century date. Bells: two, 1st by
Antony Bartlett, 1675. Brass: In N. aisle—on
N. wall, to Mary Dive, 1711, daughter of George,
Lord Jeffreys. Chairs (Plate 5): in chancel, two,
with panelled and carved backs, carved arms, turned
legs and shaped rails. Chest (Plate 45): In nave—
with panelled and inlaid front, fluted frieze and
carved rails, c. 1660. Doors: to tower, in two
leaves, each of four panels with raised mouldings.
In N. and S. doorways, each in two leaves with
three panels, strap-hinges. Font: octagonal, with
veined white marble bowl on octagonal baluster-shaped stem of stone. Monuments and Floor-slab: Monuments. In N. aisle—on N. wall (1) to
Mary (Beach) wife of . . . Hack, 1704, cartouche
with fruit and scroll-work on draped background,
surmounted by a cartouche-of-arms flanked by
winged cherub-heads and supporting urn; (2) to
Richard Chandler, 1691, and John his brother, 1686,
mural monument (Plate 24) with double round-headed recess containing two busts and flanked by
Composite columns and pilasters on corbels with
cherub-heads below and supporting entablature
with broken pediment and achievement-of-arms;
(3) inscription giving date of erection of Emery
vault, 1673. Floor-slab: In S. aisle—on S. wall,
to Ann, wife of Timothy Betton, 1713. Painting:
former altar-piece, "The Last Supper," said to be
by Constantine Francks. Panelling: on N. and S.
walls and in W. tower, with raised panels in three
heights, apparently made up of old pews. Royal
Arms: on W. wall of nave, with modern painting.
Miscellanea: over S. doorway, small figure of
Virgin and Child.
Condition—Good, much restored.
(3) Parish Church of St. Alphege stood on
the S. side of London Wall at the western angle of
Aldermanbury. It was founded by William de
Elsing in 1329 as the chapel of the Priory and
Hospital of St. Mary-within-Cripplegate. The
two lower stages of the tower and the W. wall and
part of the E. wall of the vestibule date from the
foundation, but the rest of the church was re-built
in 1777 and pulled down in 1923. The tower
appears to have been central, the structural quire
forming the Hospital chapel and the nave being
possibly the hospital itself. The N. front of the
vestibule was re-built in 1914.
Architectural Description—The Tower (15 ft. by
16½ ft.) with the adjoining vestibule is now the
only surviving part of the church. The ground-stage is 14th-century work, the original floor-level being 18 in. below the present one. In the
E. wall is a two-centred arch of three orders
moulded on the W. and chamfered on the E. face;
within it is a moulded segmental-pointed sub-arch
having the same springing-level. The label over
this is brought out to support a bracket, forming
the base of a shallow niche, with a cinque-foiled
head. The east side of this arch is rebated for a
door. In the N.E. angle is a small doorway, with
chamfered jambs and two-centred head, opening
to the turret-stairway, within the angle of the
tower. In the N. wall is a two-centred arch of
three chamfered orders, communicating with the
vestibule, and in the S. wall is a single-light blocked
window in a recess, with hollow-chamfered jambs
and two-centred arch. In the W. wall is a blocked
arch similar to that on the N. The W. wall of
the Vestibule is 14th-century work and contains
a blocked arch of two chamfered orders. In the
E. wall is a recess, of the same date, with chamfered
jambs and segmental-pointed head.
The two lower stages of the tower are of flint and
rubble masonry.
Fittings—Books: In vestry—copies of Jewel's
Apology, 1609, and Erasmus' Paraphrase, 1555.
Monuments and Floor-slabs. Monuments: (1) to
Sir Rowland Hayward Kt. 1593, and his two wives
Johan (Tilsworth) with seven children and Katherin
(Smith) with eight children, wall-monument
(Plate 22) with kneeling figures, four Corinthian
columns, entablature, obelisks, one achievement
and six shields-of-arms, bracketed shelf and strapwork apron. It was restored in 1777 and recoloured in 1881. (2) to John Edwards, pikemaker, 1646, and Katherine his wife, 1698, and
Bridget Shorter, 1709, tablet with carved banners
on top and shield-of-arms; erected 1676. Floor-slabs: now in the City of London Cemetery, Manor
Park. (1) to the Rev. James Halsey, 1640, with
shield-of-arms; (2) to Thomas Wright, 1700. At
E. end (3) to Samuel Brewer, 1684; (4) to Thomas
Dawson, 1682, with shield-of-arms; (5) to Thomas
Evans, 1687–8; (6) to Hannah, wife of Herbert
Aylwin, 1679; (7) to John Johnson, 1701–2. Miscellanea: On S. wall of tower, carved wood panel
in high relief, part in the round, of the Martyrdom of St. Stephen, kneeling figure of saint in
dalmatic and two figures, one in Roman armour,
small figure of God the Father at top, painted and
gilt, said to be of Spanish work, 16th-century. In
cases in modern vestry—a few mediæval tiles, a
spur and other relics. In vestibule—various worked
stones, tiles, tracery, etc., mediæval.
Condition—Good.
(4) Remains of Old St. Alphege Church
stand on the N. side of St. Alphege Churchyard
and are of mediæval ragstone-rubble. They
consist only of the N. wall, probably of the chancel,
and the N.E. angle. The city-wall forms the lower
part, but is now mostly concealed by the rise of the
ground-level. The wall is covered externally by
adjoining buildings and has lost all its internal
facing. Fixed on the face of the town-wall is a
stone tablet with skull and cross-bones and the
inscription, "This gateway was erected at the
proper cost and charge of Ralph Holbrook husband
of Eliz'th Holbrook, neice of Laur. Copping Gent.
who lyeth interr'd within. Anno Domini 1687."
Condition—Poor.
Secular
(5) Haberdashers' Hall (parish of St. Mary
Staining) stands on the N. side of Gresham Street.
It was re-built about two years after the Great Fire
of 1666, but was again burnt in 1838 except the Court
Room and the Drawing Room above it. Part of the
structure of the Livery Hall (69½ ft. by 30¾ ft.)
was probably incorporated in the rebuilding.
The screen is of oak, and of late 17th-century
date. It is of five bays, with two round-arched
openings flanked by fluted Corinthian pilasters,
supporting an enriched entablature and a balustrade with moulded panels and balusters. The
middle and end bays have moulded and carved
panels. Attached to the middle bay is a large
clock inscribed "the gift of Sir Francis Forbes
1714." The screen is painted and has some
modern repair. The Court Room (42 ft. by 24 ft.)
N. of the hall has walls of brick with four
square-headed windows in the W. wall. The
ceiling of the court room has a large panel in
the middle with semi-circular projections at the
ends and a moulded and coved border with
festoons; outside the border is a broad band of
acanthus-ornament; the shaped panels at the
ends of the ceiling are filled with elaborately
modelled foliage, fruit, etc., with the arms and
supporters of the company. The room has a
moulded and enriched cornice. In the building
are several pieces of carved woodwork from the
old building; they include the arms and supporters
(Plate 17) probably of Dudley, Earl of Leicester (but
wrongly rendered), with the garter, angel holding
shield made to face both ways, royal arms of
Charles II, a figure of St. Catherine from the
Company's barge, a small figure of Henry VIII,
an elaborately carved cabinet containing a list
of benefactors, and two carved festoons of fruit and
flowers from door-heads, one having a cartouche
of the Company's arms. A room on the first
floor has been re-lined with 16th-century panelling
from Pitley Manor House, Essex.
Condition—Good.
(6) Brewers' Hall stands on the N. side of
Addle Street and is of two storeys to the hall and
three to the rest of the building. The walls are
of brick with Portland-stone dressings and the
roofs are covered with slates. The Hall was
destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and re-built in
1670. The S. wing has been refaced in modern
times, the loggia filled in and the outside staircase re-built.
The woodwork of this Hall is particularly fine.
The buildings occupy the N. and E. sides of
a small courtyard, approached by a modern
corridor and original entrance on the S. from
Addle Street. The Hall with Kitchen and offices
under it stands on the N. of the courtyard with the
Court Room and other apartments to the N. of it.
Other rooms adjoin the E. end of the hall and
occupy the E. side of the courtyard. The hall is
approached by an outside staircase and there are
two internal staircases, one behind the screens of
the hall and one to the W. of the Court Room.
The Main Entrance (Plate 150) from Addle Street is
of late 17th-century woodwork refixed in a modern
front. It has a square-headed archway flanked by
engaged Corinthian columns supporting an enriched
entablature and segmental pediment, with a large
carving of the Company's arms in the tympanum
and festoons at the sides; the doorway itself is
square-headed with a fan-light above it, the lights
of which radiate from a carved lion's head in the
middle of the lintel; the double wooden gates
have the upper panels open and fitted with twisted
iron bars, the lower panels have small wickets,
with enriched architraves, the left wicket being a
sham; the gates are crested with ornamental
chevaux-de-frise. The S. Elevation (Plate 151) of
the hall block is faced with red brick; the ground-floor formed an open arcade (now filled in) of five
moulded and keyed elliptical arches, resting on
rusticated piers with engaged Doric columns on
the outer face; above the springing-level the
arches are filled in with carved wooden panels,
with cartouches, etc., the middle panel bearing a
cartouche of the Company's arms; the scrolled
lintels have a lion's head in the middle of each.
At the first-floor level is a modernised doorway to
the Hall and five square-headed windows to the
Hall, with moulded stone architraves and above
them as many oval lights similarly treated; the
westernmost window in the lower tier is blocked
internally. The hall-doorway is approached by a
modern outside staircase representing an original
feature. On this front are two original moulded rainwater-heads of lead. The S. wing has been refaced.
In the S.E. angle of the courtyard is a lead rainwater-head with a cartouche-of-arms and dated 1680,
refixed on the modern building. The N. Elevation
is faced with red brick, with a band between the
storeys, and has square-headed windows with
original frames. At the first-floor level are three
oval windows lighting the Court Room, which has
also a three-light window in the E. return wall and
a similar one to the room over it.
Brewers' Hall
Interior—The ground-floor of the hall-block is
largely stone-paved and on the N. side is the Kitchen
containing a panelled lead cistern (Plate 6) dated
1671 and bearing the arms of the Company. The
Staircase leading up to the screens has a moulded
rail and turned balusters. The Hall (68 ft. by 26 ft.)
is seven bays long (Plates 48, 149). On the N. side are
two doorways to the upper staircase and butler's
pantry, the first has a cornice and pediment with
three shields-of-arms and the inscription, "James
Reading Mr. . Mr. Robert Laurence. Mr. Samvell
Barker. Mr. Henry Sell. Wardens 1673"; above
it is a carving of the royal Stuart arms; the second
doorway has flanking pilasters, round archivolt
and tympanum carved with Brewers' implements.
The walls are panelled to above the lower range of
windows, and above the panelling runs a continuous entablature with a bay-leaf frieze and a
series of broken pediments each with a carved
cartouche bearing a shield-of-arms, with festoons
and a name beneath it; the names are—N. side,
Griffith Owen, Henry Knight, William Dashwood,
James Hickson, Ald. John Foorthe, William
Green; S. side, George Dashwood, John Breedon,
Phillip Jemitt, Ald. Dannel Foorthe, Sir William
Bucknall, Sir John James. The blocked westernmost window in the S. wall is covered by a
sham doorway with panelled imposts and round-headed arch. The panelling, at the W. end of
the Hall, is in three bays divided and flanked
by fluted Corinthian pilasters, with carved festoons between the capitals; the middle bay is
not carried up so high as the side bays and has a
centre-piece, behind the master's chair, finished
with a carved attic and a broken and scrolled
pediment, in the middle of which is a carving of
the Company's crest, a Moorish woman; flanking
the centre-piece and at a lower level are figures of
Juno and perhaps Amphitrite; on the cornice of
the side bays are fixed carved wooden figures of
Neptune, Jupiter and two sea-horses. The screen
at the E. end of the hall is divided into three bays
by fluted Corinthian columns supporting an
entablature, continued from that on the side
walls, and a panelled attic; in the middle bay is
a large round-headed doorway with moulded
imposts and architrave, carved spandrels and soffit
and a scrolled key; above it is the date 1673 and
a large broken pediment surmounted by carved
swags and having a large carving of the company's
arms and crest; on the piers of the attic are
two carved children with vine-wreaths seated
astride barrels. In the hall is preserved an
embroidered funeral-pall of c. 1520; the flaps bear
on the long sides a figure of the Virgin and two
shields (St. Thomas of Canterbury impaling the
company) divided by barley-ears and scrolls; on the
end flaps are figures of St. Thomas of Canterbury.
The Court Room (Plate 148) is entered by a doorway
at the W. end with a panelled door of two leaves,
and over it a broken pediment with a carving of the
Starling achievement and festoons. The fireplace
on the S. has a carved surround and segmental
pediment enclosing the crest of a Moorish woman
and a richly carved and festooned overmantel
bearing a large medallion with the inscription—
"The right Worll. Sr Samvel Starling knight and
alderman of London a worthy member of the
Brewers' Company did wainscott this parlour in
the yeare 1670 the said Sr. Samvel Starling being
then Lord Mair. of the Cittie of London." In the
E. window are four large shields-of-arms in glass
of Charles II, the City and the Company, the last
being dated 1673, and one of St. Thomas of
Canterbury. In the N. windows are two small
oval panels of glass, with landscapes, probably
foreign and of late 16th or early 17th-century date.
The walls are panelled to the ceiling and finished
with a dado and enriched entablature. The upper
Staircase (Plate 40) adjoining the Court Room has
turned and twisted balusters, straight moulded
strings and square newels. The staircase, at the
E. end of the Hall, has straight moulded strings
and turned balusters.
Condition—Good.
(7) Parish Clerks' Hall, 24 Silver Street,
stands on the S. of that thoroughfare and is of
three storeys. The walls are built of brick and the
roofs are covered with slate. The existing building
was erected in 1669–72, but the front to Silver Street
has been refaced in modern times. The building
forms a T-shaped block with one end of the cross
abutting on the street. The ground-floor is let
as offices, and on the first floor the Hall occupies
the E. wing with the company's office (probably
once the Court Room) and the staircase across the
W. end. The second floor is cut up into apartments.
The N. Elevation to the street is modern with a
modern entrance. The E. and S. Elevations of the
Hall are of brick with modern parapets. On the
E. are three and on the S. four square-headed
windows lighting the hall.
Interior:—The ground-floor is occupied by
modern offices. The Staircase is also modern, up
to the first floor, but above this level it is of late
17th-century date with well, turned balusters and
moulded rail. The Hall has a plain flat plaster
ceiling and is entered by a doorway on the W. with
a carved mask in the middle of the lintel. In the
window are the following pieces of late 17th-century-glass:—the arms of Charles II, those of
the following masters, Thomas Williams, 1680,
Richard Seal, 1681, James Maddox, 1684, Nicholas
Hudles, 1674 and 1682, William Hornbuckle, 1679,
and William Disbrow, 1672: the Prince of Wales'
feathers and garter; portraits of Stephen Penckhurst, 1685, and John Clarke, 1675 (Plate 14),
masters; medallions of St. Cecilia and David and
the head of a queen, probably Anne. The walls
are panelled to the ceiling and finished with a
moulded cornice. The Office also has walls
panelled to the ceiling and finished with a wooden
cornice. The funeral-pall (now at the Victoria and
Albert Museum) of the 16th century has four shields
of the company's arms on the long flaps; at the
ends are achievements of the company's arms
with the inscription " 'Repared 1686." Two garlands or crowns for the master and upper warden
bear the arms and crest of the company with the
date and initials H.W. 1601.
Condition—Good.
(8) House, No. 69, on the W. side of Aldermanbury, 40 yards S. of (2), is of three storeys with
attics, the walls are of brick. It was built late in
the 17th century, but has had the front re-built.
At the back is an original annexe two storeys high;
the windows have flush frames.
Condition—Good.
(9) House, No. 70 Aldermanbury, adjoining
(8) on the S., is of three storeys with attics; the
walls are of brick and the roofs are covered with
tiles. It was built shortly after the Great Fire by
either Richard or John Chandler. The E. elevation is faced with red brick and has projecting
bands between the storeys and a modern parapet,
there are five windows to the first and second
floors with flush frames and modern sashes, and
above the N. window on the first floor is a stone
panel bearing a sculptured sign of a pelican 'in
her piety,' the crest of the Chandler family. Inside
the building the walls of the vestibule are lined
with panelling in two heights with a moulded
cornice to the ceiling. The staircase from the
second floor up is original and has moulded string
and handrail, square newel and turned balusters.
Condition—Good.
(10) House, No. 69, now restaurant and offices,
on N. side of Gresham Street and the W. corner
of the junction with Aldermanbury, is of three
storeys with attics and basement; the walls are
of brick and the roofs are covered with tiles. It
was built possibly early in the 18th century, but
has been much altered both internally and externally. The S. front is painted and the E. front
is covered with painted plaster, and has plain
projecting bands at the floor-levels; some of the
windows are original, and at the S. end on the first
and second floors are two original recesses. Inside
the building portions of an original moulded cornice
remain and the staircase has continuous moulded
string and handrail, turned balusters and circular
newels.
Condition—Fair.
(11) House at N. end of Russia Court is of three
storeys with attics; the walls are of brick and the
roofs are tiled. It was built in the latter part of
the 17th century, but has been much altered. The
front to Russia Court is of yellow brick with red
brick heads to the windows and projecting bands
between the storeys; the ground-floor front and
the parapet are modern, and the windows to the
second floor with flush frames are the only original
ones. Inside the building the staircase above the
first-floor level is original and has moulded strings
and handrail, square newels with ball heads and
moulded drops and turned balusters.
Condition—Good.
(12) Sculptured sign, to house No. 17½, on
the N. side of Addle Street, at the junction with
Aldermanbury. On the S. front of the building
above the first floor is fixed a rectangular panel
with a carving in high relief of a chained bear with
a collar and the initials T.F.N. and the date 1670.
(13) Cellars below No. 9 Wood Street, a
modern building, stand on the E. side of that
thoroughfare on part of the site of the Wood
Street Compter, re-built in 1670; they are a series
of extensive brick vaults, apparently of that
date; the vaulting is of barrel-form, groined at the
intersections and in the larger vaults is three-centred. Much of the brickwork is rendered in
cement.