Barber Surgeons' Hall

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

On the west side of Monkwell Street at No.32 (P.O. Directory). In Farringdon Ward Within (detached portion).


First mention: Stow, ed. 1598.

Former names : " Barbers' Hall " (P.C. 1732-O.S. 1880). " Barber Chirurgions (Chyrurgeons) Hall " (O. and M. 1677-Strype, 1720).

A portion of the Hall rests on the basement of a tower of old London Wall.

Rebuilt 1678, and again 1752 and 1863-4. Old dining hall incorporated in warehouses erected on its site in 1864. Picture by Holbein in court-room.

Barbers and Surgeons incorporated as one Company 32 H. VIII. Dissolved 1745.

The Barbers were in old times the chief Surgeons of the country, and the position of the Company was similar to that now held by the Royal College of Surgeons (Trans. L. and M. Arch. Soc. I. 346).

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