Normanus

“ The neighbourhood of Cloth Fair abounds with old houses; thither the clothiers and drapers of London repaired, and had their booths and standings within the churchyard of this Priory, closed in with walls and gates, locked every night and watched, for safety of men’s “goods and wares;” but Stowe says that in place of booths within the churchyard, only let out in the fair time, and closed all the year after, are many large houses built.
Rahere’s establishment was originally of considerable extent ”

“ 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.
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. ”

“ The spot being intersected by many brooks, much difficulty was experienced in forming even a foundation; but after the expenditure of a considerable amount of time and labour this was accomplished, and a grand building arose of which we purpose to speak, and whose noble remains testify to its simple, solid grandeur, and cause us to regret that so little is left to us of the original structure.
Rahere, we are told, was a man “sprung and born from low kynage,” not having cunning of liberal science—but that is more eminent than all cunning—for he was rich in purity of conscience. ”

“ Of the high soul which once informed the same;
Torn from the service of the state in ’s prime
By a disease malignant at the time.
Whose life and death designed no other end
Than to serve God, his country, and his friend ”

“ During the next two days the warlike sport was continued; the nights being spent in the same manner as before. The pomp and state must have been of the most magnificent description. All this took place just outside the Priory, on the spot that Rahere had been at so much trouble to level and fill up when Henry I. gave it him, and which was afterwards called “Smoothfield,” from his success in levelling it, and subsequently “Smithfield,” from the smith’s furnace used here.
We now introduce one of the celebrated executions that took place in Edward I. reign. ”

“ At the north-east angle of the Choir is the beautiful Tomb of the venerable Founder and first Prior of the Monastery. This monument, supposed to have been erected at the beginning of the fourteenth century, was restored by Prior Bolton. Its preservation is still ensured by a legacy bequeathed for the purpose of keeping it in constant repair.
The effigy of Rahere is doubtless a likeness; he is habited in black robes; two Canons kneel at his feet, reading from a Bible open at the 51st chapter of Isaiah, with the following words:—“The Lord shall comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places ”

“ Rahere feigned himself an idiot, to hide from his enemies, who were numerous about the court, his ultimate design, and also to enlist the sympathy of the people, for in that superstitious age it was believed that idiots were under the care of a special providence. ”

“ O record of the grant of the site nor the deed of endowment is preserved. But a charter of Henry I., dated 1133, is extant, granting Rahere power to found an Hospital with a Monastery; eight brethren and four sisters who were to have the care of such sick people and pregnant women as might need the benefit of the Institution.
Alfun, who built the Church of St. Giles, Cripplegate, was the first hospitaller; he used daily to beg for the relief of the poor in Smithfield.
The Hospital remained attached to the Priory until its dissolution. ”

“ The tomb is altogether a handsome and interesting work.
On the opposite side of the Choir, directly facing Rahere’s Tomb, and on a level with the triforium, is a beautiful oriel window erected by Prior Bolton; it communicated with his house at the east end of the church. He could see therefrom whether the Canons were properly performing their duties; the centre spandril contains his rebus, the Bolt and Tun. ”

“ The Fair occupied the whole space of ground extending from the walls of the Hospital to, and covering, the site of the present Meat Market. Smithfield was formerly lined with pens, in which the live cattle were placed previous to their being sold. ”

“ Conquer’d the age, conquer’d himself and died.”
Beyond this, in the South Aisle, is a magnificent and elaborate one of coloured marbles and giltwork, to the memory of Walter Mildmay, founder of Emmanuel College, Cambridge; he held office under Henry VIII., Edward VI., was Chancellor of the Exchequer to Queen Elizabeth, and with Lord Burleigh was deputed to treat with Mary Queen of Scots, and to deliver to her a letter from Elizabeth at Fotheringay Castle, charging her with treason and conspiracy. ”

“ E now record another privilege granted by the King to Rahere; viz., that of holding a Fair in Smithfield. Henry II. confirmed the Charter. It was originally instituted for the benefit of trade; the communication with distant parts being very difficult, from the badness of the roads and imperfect means of locomotion, and carriage of goods in the early ages; here the different dealers brought their wares and sold them, hence trade was benefited and also the Priory. The Fair commenced on St. Bartholomew’s Day, and originally lasted six weeks ”

“ GARDEN VIEW OF CANONBURY.
One large house, having a tower of brick 17 feet square and 60 feet high, which still retains much of its original character, is the most striking remains; Prior Bolton is supposed to have erected this portion.
FRONT VIEW.
The two principal rooms are situate on the first and second storeys, facing Canonbury Lane; are each 20 feet square and 12 feet high, handsomely fitted with a wainscot of oak from floor to ceiling in a complete state of preservation, which appears to have been done by Sir John Spenser during his residence at Canonbury. ”

“ The Compilers trust that the following particulars concerning this, the oldest Church now remaining in London, will prove acceptable to residents and others who are unacquainted with the many points of interest attaching to the ancient structure.
A Sketch of St. Bartholomew Fair, Bartholomew’s Hospital, and also of Canonbury Tower, all of which are intimately associated with the Priory, have likewise been added. ”

“ There is a curious custom still observed on Good Friday; the churchwardens proceed to a certain grave, on the stone of which are placed 21 sixpences; 21 poor, aged people have to stoop and take them off the stone; some are so old and decrepit as scarcely to be able to do so ”

“ In feasts he was sober, and namely the follower of hospitality. Tribulations of wretches, and necessities of the poor people opportunely admitting; patiently supporting, competently spending. In prosperity not yre prided ”