THE PRIORY CHURCH OFST. BARTHOLOMEW-THE-GREAT,
SMITHFIELD

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE FOUNDATION
AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE FABRIC
AND ALSO OF THE CHURCH OF
ST. BARTHOLOMEW-THE-LESS

BY

GEORGE WORLEY

AUTHOR OF "SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL," "THE TEMPLE CHURCH," ETC.

LONDON GEORGE BELL AND SONS 1908

CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO.
TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON.

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PREFACE

vIn gathering material for this handbook I have received valuable helpfrom several friends, whose kindness calls for grateful recognition. Mythanks are due, in the first place, to the Rev. W. F. G. Sandwith,Rector of St. Bartholomew-the-Great, and the lay custodians of thechurch, for the facilities which have allowed me to examine the buildingin all its parts, and for the readiness with which they have giveninformation, not accessible elsewhere, on various points of its historyand architecture. In this matter, besides more personal obligations, Ifeel that I owe much, in common with many others, to Mr. E. A. Webb, theactive member of the Restoration Committee, for the suggestive data ofhis open lectures, and for the interesting expositions of the fabric bywhich he has always supplemented them. Others to whom I am indebted areDom Henry Norbert Birt, O.S.B., of Downside Abbey, and Mr. Charles W. F.Goss, Librarian to the Bishopsgate Institute, for their skilful guidancein the literature of the subject; Mr. F. C. Eeles, Secretary to theAlcuin Club, for the Elizabethan Inventory and account of the MediaevalBells; and Messrs. Wm. Hill and Son, the famous builders, forparticulars of the organ.

For the illustration of the book, Mr. A. Russell Baker has kindlycontributed a selection from his rare set of old engravings, beforepresenting the whole to St. Bartholomew's Hospital.

viThe photographic views of the church and monuments, as seen at thepresent day, were taken by Mr. Edgar Scamell, of 120, Crouch Hill; andthe seal-impressions by Mr. A. P. Ready, the British Museum artist.Finally, Sir Aston Webb, R.A., has to be thanked for the ground-plans ofthe church and monastic buildings; and Mr. G. H. Smith for the plan anddimensions of St. Bartholomew-the-Less.

A list of books and papers is appended for the benefit of studentsanxious for more detailed information than could be included here.

G. W.

June, 1908vii

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A SELECTION OF WORKS ON ST. BARTHOLOMEW-THE-GREAT