Spitalfields

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Spitalfields
Location on map of Greater London
Location
OS grid reference: TQ335815
Latitude: 51.5166°
Longitude: -0.0750°
Administration
London borough: Tower Hamlets
County level: Greater London
Region: London
Constituent country: England
Sovereign state: United Kingdom
Other
Ceremonial county: Greater London
Historic county: Middlesex
Services
Police force: Metropolitan Police
Fire brigade: London Fire Brigade
Ambulance service: London Ambulance
Post office and telephone
Post town: LONDON
Postal district: E1
Dialling code: 020
Politics
UK Parliament:
London Assembly: City and East
European Parliament: London
London | List of places in London

Spitalfields is an area in Tower Hamlets, in the East End of London, near to Liverpool Street station and Brick Lane. Its name is a contraction of 'hospital fields', in reference to the Priory and Hospital of St Mary Spital, which existed here in Medieval times.

The area is home to the historic Old Spitalfields market. The market, which receives 20,000 visitors every Sunday, was founded here in the 17th century.

Contents

[edit] History

Spitalfields was the location of one of Roman London's large extra-mural cemeteries, situated to the east of the Bishopsgate thoroughfare, which roughly follows the line of Ermine Street: the main highway to the north from Londinium. The presence of a Roman cemetery here was noticed by the antiquarian John Stow as far back as 1576 and became the focus of a major archaeological excavation in the 1990s, following the redevelopment of Spitalfields Market. Perhaps the most spectacular find was the discovery in 1999 of a sarcophagus containing the remains of a high status, silk clad, Roman lady, complete with jet accessories and a unique glass phial.

In the 12th century the former Roman cemetery became the site of the Priory and Hospital of St Mary Spital. This was one of the biggest medieval hospitals in England and was the focus of a large medieval cemetery which included a stone charnel house and mortuary chapel. This latter has recently been uncovered by archaeologists and preserved for public viewing. The Priory and Hospital were dissolved in 1539 under Henry VIII. Although the chapel and monastic buildings were mostly demolished the area of the inner precinct of the priory maintained an autonomous administrative status as the liberty of Norton Folgate. The adjacent outer precincts of the priory, to the south, were re-used as an Artillery Ground and placed under the special jurisdiction of The Tower of London as one of the Tower liberties.

Spitalfields' historic association with the silk industry was established by French Protestant (Huguenot) refugees who settled in this area after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685). By settling here, outside the bounds of the City, they hoped to avoid the restrictive legislation of the City Guilds. The late 17th and 18th century saw an estate of well appointed terraced houses, built to accommodate the master weavers controlling the silk industry, and grand urban mansions built around the newly created Spital Square. Christ Church Spitalfields, designed by the architect Hawksmoor, was built during the reign of Queen Anne to demonstrate the power of the established church to the dissenting Huguenots. More humble weavers dwellings were congregated in the Tenterground.

In the 19th century the textile industry first established by the Huguenots attracted a large population of Jewish refugees drawn to live and work in the area. Irish weavers were also attracted here. By this time, the old merchant dwellings had degenerated into multi-occupied slums and Spitalfields became a by-word for urban deprivation. By 1832, concern of a London cholera epidemic, led The Poor Man's Guardian (18 February 1832) to write of Spitalfields:

The low houses are all huddled together in close and dark lanes and alleys, presenting at first sight an appearance of non-habitation, so dilapidated are the doors and windows:- in every room of the houses, whole families, parents, children and aged grandfathers swarm together.

Endemic poverty and prostitution in this area was highlighted by the sanguinary activities of the serial killer known as Jack the Ripper, here, in the autumn of 1888, and was brought to notice by social commentators such as Jack London in his The People of the Abyss (1903). He highlighted 'Itchy Park', next to Christ Church Spitalfields, as a notorious rendezvous for homeless vagrants.

In the later 20th century the Jewish presence diminished, to be replaced by an influx of Bangladeshi immigrants, who also worked in the local textile industry and made of Brick Lane the curry capital of London.

Another development, from the 1960s onwards, has been a campaign to save the housing stock of old merchant terraces to the west of Brick Lane from demolition. Many have been conserved by exponents of a 'New Georgian' ethos, such as the architect and TV pundit Dan Cruickshank. Such gentrification has, however, caused massive inflation in house prices and the removal of the last of the vagrants from this area.

Current 'urban regeneration' has also seen the erection of large modern office blocks, between Bishopsgate and Spitalfields Market. These represent, in effect, an expansion of the City of London, northwards, beyond its traditional bounds, into this area. However a rear-guard action by conservationists has resulted in the preservation of old Spitalfields Market and the provision of shopping, leisure amenities and a new plaza behind the city blocks.

[edit] See also

[edit] Art Scene

The area is well known for its arts scene. Whitechapel Gallery is located at the bottom of Brick Lane, and amongst the many well known artists living in Spitalfields are Gilbert and George, Tracey Emin, and Stuart Brisley.

TV presenter, architecture expert and Georgian fanatic, Dan Cruickshank was both an active campaigner for Spitalfields, and continues to live in the area. Dennis Severs foreswore modern comforts at 18 Folgate Street, living a unique life. The house is now open to the public.

[edit] In Literature

Spitalfields figures in many classic and contemporary works of literature, which reflect its sense of mystery and its fascinating multicultural heritage, including:

[edit] In Film

Nineteenth century Spitalfields was recreated as the setting for the film From Hell about Jack the Ripper. This included a reconstruction (in Prague) of the notorious 'Ten Bells' pub (still extant on Commercial Street): alleged to have been a rendezvous of some of the Ripper's prostitute victims, before they were murdered. In the film Johnny Depp (as Inspector Abberline) is seen drinking there with Ripper victim Mary Jane Kelly.

[edit] References

  • Thomas, Sloane and Phillpotts (1997) Excavations at the Priory and Hospital of St Mary Spital, London. Museum of London: London
  • Thomas, C. (2004) Life and Death in Spitalfields: 2000 Years at Spitalfields. Museum of London.

[edit] External links

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