More Medieval Churches in Aldgate

St Clare Minoresses/Convent of Poor Clares (1290) without Aldgate

In the vicinity of the junction of India Street/Minories/St Clare Street once stood the abbey of the Minoresses of St. Mary of the Order of St. Clare, founded in 1294. A 'minoress" was a nun in the Second Order of the Order of Friars Minor (or Franciscans)

Twenty seven of the sisters died in 1515, struck down with an infectious illness, no doubt caught during close contact whilst helping the poor. The convent burnt down a while after and funds were sought to rebuild it. In 1539 it was seized during the Dissolution and became the parish church of Holy Trinity Minories, to be eventually destroyed by bombing during WW2.

St Botolph Aldgate (11th century)

At the top of Jewry Street between the City and the East End stands St Botolph without Aldgate. 

There has been a church on this site since around 1115, the current building dates from 1744 and was designed by George Dance the Elder, the architect of the Mansion House.

Botolph is the patron saint of travellers and four City of London churches were dedicated to him, all of which were close to gates in the City walls. These dedications were probably made because the churches provided places for incoming travellers to give thanks for their safe arrival and for outgoing travellers to pray for a safe journey.

As a point of interest, the writer Daniel Defoe, was married in the church in 1683.

In front of the church is the 'palace on pillars' inspired by Chaucer’s poem House of Fame. Its construction by the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects marked the start of High Street 2012, the direct route from the City of London to the Olympic Park at Stratford. 

Holy Trinity Priory, Aldgate

Once a priory of Austin canons (Black Canons) founded around 1108 by Queen Matilda of England, wife of King Henry I and one of the largest complexes of buildings in the medieval City.

It was one of the first Augustinian houses established in England as well as being the first to be dissolved in 1532, voluntarily surrendered to Henry VIII after running up large debts!

The buildings and land associated with the priory were given, or sold, to prominent courtiers and City merchants. None of the buildings survive today except for a whole section of wall and two pointed arches, seen through glass panels within the office building on the corner of Aldgate and Mitre Street.

Note to self: find out about the area known as Dukes Place!