The church of Austin Friars is one of the most ancient Gothic remains in
the City of London. It belonged to a priory dedicated to St. Augustine,
and was founded for the friars Eremites of the order of Hippo, in
Africa, by Humphry Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex, 1253. A part of
this once spacious building was granted by Edward VI. to a congregation
of Germans and other strangers, who fled hither from religious
persecutions. Several successive princes have confirmed it to the Dutch,
by whom it has been used as a place of worship. J.M.C.
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