Clerk’s Well
Clerkenwell, named after the 12th century Clerks’s Well, is Islington’s oldest residential and business district. It formally made its way onto maps in 1560.
Clerk’s Well
Clerkenwell, named after the 12th century Clerks’s Well, is Islington’s oldest residential and business district. It formally made its way onto maps in 1560.
Religion on the Green
Clerkenwell’s fresh water, open fields and central location attracted monasteries and other religious buildings. The shape of the Green as it stands today was defined by the religious orders of St John’s Priory and St Mary’s Nunnery. The Priory was founded in the 1140s and the Order owned a lot of the surrounding area.
The Peasant’s Revolt
Most of these buildings were damaged during the Peasant’s Revolt in 1381. They were rebuilt and used in different ways. During the 16th century the southern gatehouse, now called St John’s Gate, was used as the offices of the Master of the Revels, where 30 of Shakespeare’s plays were licensed.
Politics on the Green
Throughout the 18th century, Clerkenwell Green was well known for political meetings. This was particularly prominent in 1848, the year of European Revolutions.
Our neighbouring building, Old Sessions House, played a big part in this after opening as the Middlesex Sessions House in 1782. Originally this was a courthouse, operating until 1921.
Religion on the Green
Clerkenwell’s fresh water, open fields and central location attracted monasteries and other religious buildings. The shape of the Green as it stands today was defined by the religious orders of St John’s Priory and St Mary’s Nunnery. The Priory was founded in the 1140s and the Order owned a lot of the surrounding area.
The Peasant’s Revolt
Most of these buildings were damaged during the Peasant’s Revolt in 1381. They were rebuilt and used in different ways. During the 16th century the southern gatehouse, now called St John’s Gate, was used as the offices of the Master of the Revels, where 30 of Shakespeare’s plays were licensed.
Politics on the Green
Throughout the 18th century, Clerkenwell Green was well known for political meetings. This was particularly prominent in 1848, the year of European Revolutions.
Our neighbouring building, Old Sessions House, played a big part in this after opening as the Middlesex Sessions House in 1782. Originally this was a courthouse, operating until 1921.
Clerkenwell in literature and film
Clerkenwell has featured in a number of novels and poems.
Dickens’ Oliver Twist and the Artful Dodger can be found operating on Clerkenwell Green, Hoban’s Phil and Bertha are seen falling in love at a tango lesson in Clerkenwell, and Ackroyd’s Clerkenwell Tales features a nun from the green who predicts the death of King Richard II.
Clerkenwell also made its way onto the big screen, showcasing in About a Boy, My Policeman, A Fish Called Wanda and The Heist.
