Spitalfields
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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.
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 1990's, 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 accesories 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. The precincts of the priory were re-used as an Artillery Yard and placed under the special jurisdiction of The Tower of London.
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.
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.
At this time the endemic poverty of this area came to the notice of social commentators such as Jack London in his The People of the Abyss. London 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 Bangladeshis, who also worked in the local textile industry and made of Brick Lane the curry capital of London.
Today, the housing stock of old weavers terraces to the west of Brick Lane has been gentrified by exponents of a 'New Georgian' ethos, causing 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 huge 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.
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.
In Literature
Spitalfields figures in many classic and contemporary works of literature, which reflect its sense of mystery and its fascinating multicultural heritage, including:
- Children of the Ghetto (1893) by Israel Zangwill
- The People of the Abyss (1903) by Jack London
- Hawksmoor (1985) by Peter Ackroyd
- The Satanic Verses (1988) by Salman Rushdie
- Brick Lane by Monica Ali
References
Thomas, Sloane and Phillpotts (1997) Excavations at the Priory and Hospital of St Mary Spital, London. Museum of London: London
External links
- [spitalfields.org]
- [visitspitalfields.com]
- [Spitalfields City Farm]
- [Spitalfields Society] (neighbourhood association)
- [Spitalfields, E1]
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