Inns of Court - In the Middle Ages, the need for trainee lawyers led to the founding of hostels (Inns of Court) where they could live and study - even today nobody can enter that profession without being accepted by an Inn of Court. The Inns were like universities where students were provided with accommodation and meals, as well as tuition. In the past there were 12 Inns of Court, but only three exist in their traditional capacity - Gray's Inn, Lincoln's Inn and Temple. Nowadays, the Inns have few residents, most of the accommodation being leased to barristers. Of the four Inns that remain, only Middle Temple, whose past members include, Drake, Raleigh, Dickens and Fielding,is open to the public on a regular basis.The other three are more difficult to see; you will need to book a tour but,- these don't happen very often and there is a high demand. From the exterior though, each Inn is definitely worth a visit, if only to take time out from the noise and bustle of the City of London and relax in the peacefulness of its garden or to spend time in its maze of inter-linking alleyways and courtyards that are often seen on our screens as the settings for film and television period drama. To pass through the doorway of an Inn of Court is to step back in time. The stillness and tranquility of their courtyards is in sharp contrast to the noise of traffic outside their walls
The Inns of Court are
Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn Road WC1R 5ET
website:www.graysinn.org.uk
Gray's Inn Gardens, known as"the Walks", were laid out by Sir Francis Bacon when he wasTreasurer in 1606 – Charles Lamb said that these were the best gardens of the Inns of Court - they are open to the public from noon
until 2.30pm daily.
Nearest Tube station: Chancery Lane, Holborn.
Inner Temple
EC4Y
Famous past members have included:
Boswell, James (1740-95)
Author and biographer of Dr. Johnson
Resided in Farrar's Building.
Devereux, Robert, 2nd Earl of Essex (1568-1601)
Courtier, favourite of Elizabeth I.
Arrested for involvement in rebellion, 1601. Executed 1601
Drake, Sir Francis (c1540-96)
Admitted in 1582
Circumnavigator and Admiral
Dudley, John, Duke of Northumberland (c1502-53)
Lord Protector under Edward VI. Led unsuccessful attempted to secure succession of Lady Jane Grey. Executed by Mary I
Dudley, Lord Robert, Earl of Leicester (c1533-88)
Courtier, Master of the Queen's Horse, favourite of Elizabeth I
Nearest tube station: Nearest tube station/s: Temple (closed on Sundays) and Covent Garden
website:www.innertemple.org.uk
Lincoln's Inn
Lincoln's Inn Fields WC2
Known for its fine architecture and long history, Lincoln's Inn, lies in the heart of Cental London and provides a peaceful haven in which to spend some London time.
The Inn occupies most of the rectangle formed by High Holborn on the north, Carey Street and the Royal Courts of Justice on the south, Chancery Lane on the east and Lincoln's Inn Fields on the west.
The Inn is so called because it was originally a 14th -century mansion where barristers lived and students studied. The brick gatehouse, on Chancery Lane dates from 1518 and bears the coat of arms of Henry VIII.
Open: Chapel Mon-Fri noon-2.30; grounds;Mon-Fri 9-6. Admission free
nearest tube station: Chancery Lane, Holborn.
website:www.lincolnsinn.org.uk
Middle Temple
Middle Temple Lane EC4Y 9AT
T 020 7427 4800
website:www.middletemple.org.uk
Nearest tube station/s: Temple (closed on Sundays) and Covent Garden
Open: 10am-11.30am and 3pm-4pm Mon-Fri
Middle Temple Hall was built in the 1560s-70s and it is claimed, was opened by Queen Elizabeth I. It contains one of the finest examples of a double-hammer beam ceiling in England. The first performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night is recorded as having taken place here in February 2nd 1602 and the High Table – which is so large it is thought to have been built within the hall – is said to have been a present from Elizabeth I.
Middle Temple and Inner Temple are located in the area now known as Temple - the best way to enjoy this Inn of Court, named after the Knights Templar who occupied the riverside site from around 1160, is to walk through the lanes and alleys - the Temple grounds are open Mon-Fri 8-8 and admission is free. The main entrances are from Fleet Street, opposite the Law Courts. Between Fleet Street and the Thames are the Middle and Inner Temples, whose lawns slope down to the Thames.
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