Bell's Cathedrals: The Priory Church of St. 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

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21511

Title

Bell's Cathedrals: The Priory Church of St. 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

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

George Worley's authoritative guide to St. Bartholomew-the-Great, Smithfield, chronicles the life of founder Rahere and the church's Norman origins. This volume offers a scholarly yet accessible history of the foundation, detailed architectural descriptions of the fabric, and insights into the church's monuments and restoration, serving as an essential resource for visitors and students of ecclesiastical architecture.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1908 by George Worley, this volume serves as a definitive historical and architectural survey of the Priory Church of St. Bartholomew-the-Great in Smithfield and the associated Church of St. Bartholomew-the-Less. The narrative begins with the legendary founder, Rahere, a courtier at the court of Henry I who, following a pilgrimage to Rome and a vow made during his recovery from fever, established a hospital and church in London in 1123. Upon his return, Rahere secured royal permission and built the Priory under the Rule of St. Augustine, assisted by architects who may have consulted travelers from Byzantium. In 1133, King Henry I granted the Priory extensive privileges, including freedom from earthly servitude and the right to hold Bartholomew Fair. Worley provides a detailed examination of the church's fabric, highlighting its unique Norman features. The massive central tower and the choir's distinctive horseshoe arches are noted; the latter, with their slight inward inclination, suggest an Oriental influence or a deliberate structural necessity characteristic of Anglo-Norman architecture. The text describes the restoration efforts undertaken in the late 19th century, particularly the repair of the transepts damaged by fire. These restorations were executed conservatively, preserving original Norman triforium fragments while incorporating new elements to complete the design within limited space. The book offers an inventory of vestments from 1574, a history of the organ originally built by George England, and lists of the Priors and Rectors. It addresses the turbulent history of the site, including the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII, the subsequent desecration of the priory buildings, and the survival of the hospital. Through careful analysis of seals, monuments, and architectural details, Worley presents a richly illustrated account that balances historical narrative with technical architectural analysis. The volume stands as a comprehensive guide for understanding this significant London landmark, capturing both its spiritual heritage and its physical evolution from the twelfth century to the modern era.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/21511.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg21511.epub

Removed after upload

Downloaded at

2026-07-07 00:28 UTC

Categories

• Religion
• History
• Travel