was finished in 1673, and is a handsome structure, chiefly admired for
the elegance of its steeple, which is extremely light in its aspect, and
though very high and full of openings, is secure from any second fall by
the geometrical proportion and lightness of its several parts. It is
thought to be the most beautiful thing of its kind in Europe.
The tower is square from the ground, and in this form rises to a
considerable height; but with more ornament as it advances. The
principal decoration of the lower part is the entrance, which is a
lofty, noble, and well-proportioned arch, on two of the sides faced with
a bold rustic, and raised on a plain solid course from the foundation.
Within the arch is a portal of the Doric order; the freeze ornamented
with trigliphs, and with sculpture in the metopes; over this arch is an
opening with a small balcony, which answers to a window on the other
face. The first stage is terminated by an elegant cornice, over which
again rises a plain course, where a dial projects into Cheapside. Above
this is in each face, large arched windows, with coupled Ionic pilasters
at the sides, near the corners. The cornice over these windows supports
an elegant balustrade, with Attic pillars over the Ionic columns,
supporting turrets, each composed of four handsome scrolls, which join
at the top, where are placed urns with flames.
From this part, the steeple rises circular. There is a plain course to
the height of half the scrolls, and upon this are raised a circular
range of Corinthian columns, while the body of the steeple is continued
round and plain within them. These support a second balustrade, with
very large scrolls extending from it to the body of the steeple. Above
these is placed a series of Composite columns, and from the entablature
rises another set of scrolls, supporting the spire which rests upon four
balls, and is terminated by a globe, whence rises a fane in the form of
a dragon. The view here given will help to illustrate this description.
[Illustration:
_S. Wale delin._ _J. Green sc. Oxon._
_Bow Steeple._
]
The author of the Critical Review of the public Buildings, says, “The
steeple of Bow church is a master-piece in a peculiar kind of building,
which has no fixed rules to direct it, nor is it to be reduced to any
settled laws of beauty: without doubt if we consider it only as a part
of some other building, it can be esteemed no other than a delightful
absurdity: but if either considered in itself, or as a decoration of a
whole city in prospect, it is not only to be justified, but admired.
That which we have now mentioned is beyond question as perfect as human
imagination can contrive or execute; and till we see it outdone, we
shall hardly, think it to be equalled.”
This church is a rectory, and the chief of the thirteen peculiars in
this city belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury. To it are united
the parishes of Alhallows Honey lane, and St. Pancras, by which the
Incumbent’s profits are much increased; he receiving, besides glebe,
casualties, and three parsonage houses, 200l. _per annum_, in lieu of
tithes.
_St._ MARY LE STRAND, so called from its being situated in the middle of
the Strand. The old church belonging to this parish is mentioned so
early as the year 1222, when it was named _St. Mary and the Innocents of
the Strand_; but how long it stood before that time is uncertain. It was
then situated in a pleasant church yard on the south side of the Strand,
where the east end of Somerset house is placed; and for the erecting of
this last edifice it was taken down in 1549, by order of Edward Seymour,
Duke of Somerset, Prime Minister to Edward VI. which depriving the
parishioners of a place of worship, they joined themselves to the church
of St. Clement’s Danes, and afterwards to that of St. John Baptist in
the Savoy, where they continued till the year 1723. At length, the act
having passed for erecting the fifty new churches within the bills of
mortality, one was appointed for this parish, and the first stone laid
on the 25th of February 1714; it was finished in three years and a half,
though it was not consecrated till the 1st of January 1723, when,
instead of its ancient name, it was called St. Mary le Strand. It was
the first finished of any of the fifty new churches.
This is a very superb, though not a very extensive edifice; massy,
without the appearance of being heavy, and formed to stand for ages. At
the entrance on the west end is an ascent by a flight of steps cut in
the sweep of a circle. These lead to a circular portico of Ionic columns
covered with a dome, which is crowned with an elegant vase. These
columns are continued along the body of the church, with pilasters of
the same order at the corners, and in the intercolumniations are niches
handsomely ornamented. Over the dome is a pediment supported by
Corinthian columns, which are also continued round the body of the
structure; over those of the Ionic order beneath; between these are the
windows placed over the niches. These columns are supported on
pedestals, and have pilasters behind with arches sprung from them, and
the windows have angular and circular pediments alternately. In short, a
handsome balustrade is carried round the top, and its summit is adorned
with vases. The steeple is light though solid, and ornamented with
Composite columns and capitals.
This structure, in the opinion of some, will shew late posterity, that
the period when it was built afforded architects who might have done
honour to Italy; while others condemn it, as little more than a cluster
of ornaments without a proper plan or model to be adorned.
We shall not here decide which of these opinions is most judicious; but
shall leave it to the decision of each person’s judgment who examines
the edifice itself: we cannot however help observing, that the situation
of the west front is as happy as can be wished for being viewed at a
distance; and yet it has not this advantage in perfection, a watch house
being erected in the middle of the street directly before it, which in a
great measure spoils the prospect, and prevents its terminating the
vista so agreeably as it otherwise would.
This church is a rectory in the gift of the Bishop of Worcester; the
value of the living is 225l. _per annum_, besides surplice fees; of this
sum one hundred pounds has been given and settled by Parliament, and an
hundred and twenty-five pounds is raised by the inhabitants by a rate of
four pence in the pound, in lieu of tithes. _Newc. Rep. Eccles. Paroch._
_St._ MARY MAGDALEN’S BERMONDSEY, near the south west corner of
Bermondsey street, which we vulgarly call Barnaby street, in Southwark.
It is dedicated to Mary Magdalen the sister of Lazarus, who was
celebrated for her beauty, and still more for her piety. It appears from
the _Conqueror’s Survey_, that a church of the same name was situated in
this place so early as the time of the Saxons.
The present edifice, which was built in 1680, is seventy-six feet in
length, and sixty-one in breadth; the height to the roof is thirty feet,
and the height of the steeple eighty-seven feet. It is a plain structure
enlightened by a single series of arched windows with cherubs heads on
the top. The walls are of brick plaistered over, and the door-cases and
windows cased with stone. The tower, which rises square, is covered with
a kind of dome crowned with a turret, whence rises a ball and fane.
The advowson of this church is in lay patrons, and the profits of the
rectory are said to amount to about 200l. _per annum_.
_St._ MARY MAGDALEN’S, Milk-street. This church was situated at the west
end of Honey lane market, in the ward of Cripplegate within; but being
destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, and not rebuilt, the parish was
annexed to that of St. Laurence Jewry.
_St._ MARY MAGDALEN’S, Old Fish street, is seated on the north side of
Knight Rider’s street, in the ward of Baynard’s castle, and is thus
denominated from its vicinity to Old Fish street. There are records of a
church in the same place three hundred and fifty years ago. The old
edifice was destroyed by the fire of London, and the present singular
structure arose from its ruins, and was built in the year 1685.
It is a small well-proportioned church, built with stone, sixty feet in
length, forty-eight in breadth, and thirty in height to the roof. It is
enlightened by a single series of arched windows, each ornamented with a
cherub and scrolls, supporting a cornice, which runs round the building;
but these windows are of such an unusual height from the ground, that
the doors, which are low and plain, open completely under them: both
these and the windows are of the same general construction, and the wall
is terminated by a balustrade. The tower is divided into two stages, in
the upper of which is a large window on each side. From the top of this
tower the work suddenly diminishes in the manner of high steps on each
side, and on the top of these is placed a turret, crowned with a very
short spire, on which is placed a fane with flames.
To this church the parish of St. Gregory is annexed, by which the
rectoral profits are much increased, the Incumbent receiving, besides
other profits, 120l. in lieu of tithes.
_St._ MARY MOUNTHAW, situated on the west side of Fish street hill, in
Queenhithe ward, received its name from its dedication to the Virgin
Mary, and the family of Montalto or Mounthauts, in the county of
Norfolk, who were the original founders: but being destroyed in the
dreadful fire of London in 1666, and not rebuilt, the parish was, by act
of Parliament, annexed to the church of St. Mary Somerset. _Stowe._
_St._ MARY, Newington Butts. See NEWINGTON BUTTS.
_St._ MARY OVERIES. See _St._ SAVIOUR’S.
_St._ MARY OVERIES _Church yard_, in the Borough.
_St._ MARY OVERIES _dock_, at the end of Church way, in the Borough.
_St._ MARY OVERIES _stairs_, Deadman’s place.
_St._ MARY, Rotherhith, is situated near the bank of the Thames, and is
distinguished from other churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary, by the
name of the place in which it is situated. The old church had stood
above 200 years, when in 1736, it was in so ruinous a condition, that
the inhabitants applied to Parliament for leave to pull it down, which
being granted, the present structure was finished in 1739.
This edifice is built with brick and ornamented with stone. It is
enlightened by a double range of windows, and the corners both in the
tower and body, are strengthened with a handsome rustic. The tower
consists of two stages; in the lower are a door and window, in the upper
a window and dial, and the whole is terminated by a balustrade, from
which rises a circular base that supports a kind of lanthorn, very
elegantly constructed with Corinthian columns; over these are urns with
flames; and from the roof of this lanthorn rises a well-constructed
spire terminated by a ball and fane.
This church is a rectory in the gift of a lay patron. The profits
arising to the Incumbent are said to amount to above 150l. _per annum_.
_The Hospital of St._ MARY ROUNCIVAL, a cell to a priory of that name in
Navarre in Spain, situated opposite the end of St. Martin’s lane, where
Northumberland house now stands. It was founded and endowed by William
Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, in the reign of Henry III. but this hospital
was however suppressed by Henry V. and re-founded by Edward IV. in 1476,
for a fraternity or brotherhood. At length it was suppressed, with the
other religious houses, by King Henry VIII. and afterwards coming to
Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, he caused it to be demolished, and
erected upon the site thereof the edifice then named Northampton house.
See the article NORTHUMBERLAND HOUSE.
_St._ MARY SOMERSET, opposite Broken wharf in Thames street, and in
Queenhithe ward, owes the additional epithet of Somerset (according to
Mr. Stowe’s conjecture) to its vicinity to _Sumner’s het_ or _hithe_, a
small port or haven resembling that of Queenhithe. A church was situated
in this place before the year 1335; but the old edifice sharing the fate
of most of the other public buildings, in the fire of London, the
present structure was erected in its room.
The body of this edifice is enlightened by a range of lofty arched
windows, and the wall is terminated by a balustrade. A well-proportioned
square tower rises to a considerable height, and is crowned with a
handsome vase at each corner, supported on a very ornamental pedestal,
with a handsome turret between in the form of an obelisk, each supported
on the same kind of pedestal as the vases, and crowned with a ball.
The patronage of the church is in lay hands, and the parish of St. Mary
Mounthaw being annexed to it, the Incumbent’s profits are considerably
increased; he having, besides casualties and two parsonage houses, 110l.
a year in lieu of tithes, and about 30l. in glebe.
_St._ MARY SPITAL, a priory and hospital founded by Sir Walter Brune,
and Rosia, his lady, in the year 1197, who dedicated it to the honour of
Jesus Christ and his Mother the Virgin Mary, by the name of _Domus Dei &
beatæ Mariæ extra Bishopsgate_.
This hospital surrendered to Henry VIII. when its revenue was found to
amount to 478l. a year; and besides the ornaments of the church and
other goods belonging to the hospital, there were an hundred and eighty
beds for the use of the poor.
A part of a large church yard belonging to this hospital, separated from
the rest by a brick wall, was for a long time remaining, with a pulpit
cross in it, somewhat like that which formerly stood in St. Paul’s
church yard; and on the south side was a handsome house in which the
Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and other persons of distinction sat to
hear the sermons preached in Easter holidays.
It was anciently the custom for some learned man, appointed by the
Bishops, to preach a sermon at St. Paul’s Cross, relating to Christ’s
passion, on Good Friday in the afternoon; and upon Easter Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday, other sermons were preached in the forenoon at
the Spital, on Christ’s resurrection: on Low Sunday in the forenoon a
rehearsal was made of these four sermons at St. Paul’s Cross, in which
they were either commended or censured; and, after all, the Priest made
a sermon himself.
At these sermons the Lord Mayor and Aldermen were usually present, with
their wives; and since the reformation these sermons are continued by
the name of _Spital Sermons_ at St. Bride’s in Fleet street, on Easter
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
The pulpit cross was broke down in the grand rebellion. _Maitland._
_St._ MARY’S STAINING, a small church, formerly seated on the north side
of Oat lane, in the ward of Aldersgate within. The reason why it
received the additional epithet of _Staining_, is very uncertain; some
imagining it to be derived from the painter stainers, who might probably
live near it; while others suppose that it was originally called _Stany_
or _Stony_ from its being built with stone, to distinguish it from those
in the city built with wood, &c. This ancient edifice, however, being
destroyed by the fire of London, and not rebuilt, the parish was united
to St. Michael’s Wood street. _Stowe._
_St._ MARY WHITECHAPEL, was originally erected as a chapel of ease to
the church of St. Dunstan, Stepney; and from its external appearance
probably received the additional epithet of _White_. We read of this
church in 1329, and the first chapel was probably of much greater
antiquity.
The church was anciently denominated _St. Mary Matsellon_, a name which
some have ridiculously supposed was derived from the women of the parish
having killed a Frenchman, about the year 1428, for murdering and
robbing his benefactress, a religious widow, who had generously brought
him up almost from his infancy: but this church was known by this name
above an hundred years before this bloody catastrophe. Mr. Strype,
therefore, in his edition of _Stowe’s Survey_, with greater appearance
of reason derives the name from the Hebrew or Syriac word _Matsel_ which
signifies a woman who has lately brought forth a son; alluding to Mary’s
being delivered of our Saviour: however, this name has given way to the
more ancient one of Whitechapel, which is even given to the long street
by which the edifice is situated.
The old church being in a very ruinous condition in 1673, it was taken
down and rebuilt in the present form. It is a coarse and very irregular
building. The body, which is built with brick, and ornamented with stone
rustic work at the corners, is ninety-three feet in length; sixty-three
in breadth; and the height of the tower and turret eighty feet. The
principal door is adorned with a kind of rustic pilasters, with
cherubims heads by way of capitals, and a pediment above. The body has
many windows, which are of various forms and different sizes, a sort of
Venetian, oval and square. The square windows have ill-proportioned
circular pediments, and the oval, or more properly elliptic windows
(some of which stand upright, and others crosswise) are surrounded with
thick festoons. The steeple, which is of stone, and appears to be a part
of the old structure, rises above the principal door, and is crowned
with a plain square battlement; in the center of which rises a small
turret with its dome and fane. _English Architecture._
This church is a rectory, in the gift of the Principal and Scholars of
King’s Hall and Brazen Nose College, Oxford. The Incumbent’s profits,
according to Mr. Maitland, amount to about 350l. _per annum_.
_St._ MARY WOOLCHURCH-HAW, stood on the east side of Stocks market, in
Walbrook ward, and received its additional appellation from a beam in
the church yard for the weighing of wool; for in that church yard was
anciently kept the wool staple: but this church being destroyed by the
fire of London, and not rebuilt, the parish was annexed to the church of
St. Mary Woolnoth. _Maitland._
_St._ MARY WOOLNOTH, at the corner of Sherborne lane, and adjoining to
the Post Office in Lombard street, is supposed to derive its additional
epithet of Woolnoth from its being almost contiguous to the above wool
staple, whence it might be called _Woolneah_ or _Woolnigh_, which, by an
easy transition, might pass into Woolnoth.
We read of a church with the same addition in 1355. The last suffered by
the fire in 1666, when every thing within it was destroyed but the
walls; however, being soon after repaired, it continued in a very crazy
condition, till it was appointed to be one of the fifty new churches to
be erected within the bills of mortality.
In digging a foundation for the present church in 1716, there were
discovered, at the depth of fifteen, and twenty-two feet, a great
variety of Roman earthen vessels, both for sacred and profane uses; but
all broken, together with a considerable number of the tusks and bones
of boars and goats, with several medals and pieces of metal; some
tesselated work, a part of an aqueduct, and at the bottom of all a well
full of dirt, which was no sooner removed, than a fine spring arose, in
which is placed a pump with an iron bason. By the great quantity of
pot-sheards, &c. found in this place, Mr. Maitland is of opinion, that
here was a pottery; and from the tusks and bones he imagines, that near
this place stood the temple of Concord, mentioned by the Romans.
The new church was finished in the year 1719, and is a very handsome
structure built with stone. On the north side which fronts Lombard
street, instead of windows there are three very large and lofty niches
adorned with Ionic columns, and surrounded with a bold rustic. Over
these is a large cornice, upon which is placed a balustrade. The
entrance is at the well end by a lofty rustic arch, over which rises an
oblong tower, ornamented with six Composite columns in the front, and
two on the sides; upon this is raised a lesser tower of the same form
crowned with a balustrade, from the center of which rises a flag staff
with a fane. The windows are on the south side, where the edifice is
intirely surrounded with houses.
It would be impossible, perhaps, to find a place in the whole city where
the principal ornaments of a building could be more completely
concealed. The tower can no where be seen to advantage, and can scarce
any where be seen at all, except on the roofs of the neighbouring houses
and the opposite garret windows: a great deal of expence has therefore
been here thrown away in ornaments, to very little purpose.
The advowson of this church was in the Prioress and Convent of St.
Helen’s in Bishopsgate street, till at their dissolution they fell to
the Crown; when King Henry VIII. granted it to Sir Martin Bowes, in
whose family it has ever since continued. The Rector, besides
casualties, receives about 22l. a year in glebe, and 160l. _per annum_,
in lieu of tithes.
MASONS. This company had their arms granted by Clarencieux, King at
arms, in the year 1477, though the members were not incorporated by
letters patent, till they obtained them from King Charles II. in 1677.
This fraternity is governed by a Master, two Wardens, twenty-two
Assistants, and seventy Liverymen, whose fine on admission is 5l. They
have a small convenient hall in Masons alley, Basinghall street.
_Maitland._
MASONS _alley_, Basinghall street; so called from Masons hall within it.
MASONS _arms yard_, Madox street.*
MASON’S _court_, Brick lane, Spitalfields.†
MASON’S _stairs_, Bankside.†
MASON’S _yard_. North Audley street.†
MAST _yard_, 1. Ratcliff highway. 2. Wapping.
MASTER OF THE CEREMONIES, an officer appointed by King James I. for the
more honourable reception of Ambassadors and strangers of quality. As a
badge of his office he wears a gold chain, to which hangs a medal that
has on one side an emblem of Peace placed under the crown of England,
with King James’s motto BEATI PACIFICI, and on the other an emblem of
War, with the words DIEU ET MON DROIT. His salary is 300l. a year. He
has under him an Assistant and a Marshal, the latter of whom has 6s. 8d.
a day. _Chamberlain’s Present State._
MASTERS IN CHANCERY. See the article _Masters in_ CHANCERY.
MASTER OF THE HORSE, the third great officer of the King’s court, has
the management and disposal of all the King’s stables and breed of
horses; he has authority over the equeries and pages, coachmen, footmen,
grooms, riders of the great horse, farriers and smiths; he appoints all
the other tradesmen who work for the King’s stables, and by his warrant
to the avenor makes them give an oath to be true and faithful. In short,
he is intrusted with all the lands and revenues, appropriated for the
King’s breed of horses, the expences of the stable, and of the coaches,
litters, &c.
He alone has the privilege of making use of any of the horses, pages, or
footmen belonging to his Majesty’s stables; and at any solemn cavalcade
he rides next the King, and leads a horse of state. His salary is 1276l.
13s. 4d. _per annum_.
MASTER OF THE HOUSHOLD, an officer under the Lord Treasurer of the
King’s house, whose office is to survey the accounts of the house.
MASTER OF THE JEWEL HOUSE, an officer who has the care of all the gold
and silver plate used at the King’s table; as also of all the loose
jewels, chains, &c. in the Tower of London.
MASTER OF THE REVELS, an officer under the Lord Chamberlain, has the
management of all the masques and comedies at court, and has a salary of
100l. a year.
MASTER OF THE ROBES, an officer who orders all his Majesty’s robes, as
those of his coronation, of St. George’s feast, and of Parliament, and
of his wearing apparel. He has a salary of 500l. _per annum_, and under
him is a yeoman, three grooms, a page, a brusher, a sempstress, &c.
MATCH _walk_, Upper Shadwell.
MATHAM’S _court_, Threadneedle alley, Little Moorfields.†
MATTHAS’S _court_, Great Hermitage street.†
_St._ MATTHEW’S, Bethnal Green. See BETHNAL GREEN.
_St._ MATTHEW’S _Friday street_, is situated on the west side of that
street in the ward of Faringdon within, and owes its name to its
dedication to St. Matthew the Evangelist, and its situation. The old
church being destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, the present
structure was erected in its place. It is a plain stone building, with
one series of large arched windows, and at the east end is the steeple,
which consists of a square brick tower, void of all ornament.