Doctors' Commons

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

Between Knightrider Street north and Queen Victoria Street south. In Castle Baynard Ward (O.S. 1880).


First mention: 1535 (L. and P. H. VIII. IX. p. 182).

Other names : Garden of the capital house lately called "Mountjoye place," and now anglice called the "Doctors' Commons," 30 Eliz. (Lond. I. p.m. III. 106).

Lease from the D. and C. of St. Paul's of St. Erkenwald's tenements in Knight Rither Street abutting on the capital messuage sometime called "Montjoye Place" and now "Doctors' Commons," 1570 (L. and P. Ed. VI. etc. Eliz., I. 363).

A college or common house of doctors of law, for the study and practice of the civil law.

Burnt in the Fire and rebuilt.

It comprised five Courts, viz.: (1) Court of Arches ; (2) Prerogative Court ; (3) Court of Faculties and Dispensations ; (4) Consistory Court of the Bishop of London ; (5) High Court of Admiralty.

On the remodelling of the Law Courts, these Courts were removed and the College eventually dissolved.

Building sold c. 1862. Demolished 1867.

Queen Victoria Street passed over the garden of Doctors' Commons.

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