Excavations at the priory of the Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, Clerkenwell, London

2004

The Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem was formed to support pilgrimages to Jerusalem and run a great hospital there. A house of the Order was founded in Clerkenwell in 1144. It became the Order's only priory in England, and its headquarters here. Archaeology shows that the religious house evolved into a sumptuous palatial complex very different from a normal monastic institution. This volume looks at the priory sequence, including the round-naved church, cemetery, Great Hall, gatehouse, and an outer precinct housing financial officials. Thematic chapters consider the foundation, architecture, living standards and Dissolution of the priory.

Monograph Series 20