(St.) Martin le Grand

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

A Collegiate Church of secular Canons in the Ward of Aldersgate founded by Ingelricus and his brother in 1056 (Tanner's Notitia) or possibly an earlier foundation, rebuilt and endowed by them. Confirmed by charter of William I. 1068 (Register among MSS. D. and C. Westminster).


Tanner says it may have been originally founded by Victred or Wythred, king of Kent, c. 700.

The collegiate church was a royal free chapel and had numerous privileges conferred upon it by charter of Wm. I. 1067, etc., such as sanctuary, exemption from ecclesiastical and civil jurisdiction, etc. The adjoining lands included in the foundation shared in these special and peculiar privileges, so that in later times, and even after the dissolution of the monasteries, the area remained a privileged one, and constituted the precinct known as the Liberty of St. Martin le Grand.

The Curfew Bell was rung there to warn the citizens to keep within doors (Cal. L. Bk. C. p. 85).

On more than one occasion at least the Dean was permitted to shut up a lane within the precinct, 9 Ed. I. (Ch. I. p.m.), and in 14 Ed. I. (Cal. P.R. Ed. I. 1281-92, p. 235) and 41 H. III. to make alleys (ambulaciones) between the houses of the Canons and the church (Cal. P.R. H. III. 1247-58, p. 547)

In the 15th century some of these claims and privileges seem to have been in dispute, notably the claim to be free from the jurisdiction and liberty of the City, and various arguments for and against the claim are set out in L. Bk. K. pp.151 to 160, and Commissioners were appointed to enquire into the matter. From the Register of St. Martin's above referred to it appears that judgment was given in favour of the dean, the Conqueror's charter of 1067 being held to be sufficient evidence in law as to the grant of the privileges claimed. There seems to have been considerable abuse of the privilege of sanctuary, and in 35 H. VI. ordinances were framed in regulation of the privilege.

In 1503 the deanery and its possessions were granted to the Abbey of Westminster, the Abbots thenceforth assuming the office of Dean.

In 24 H. VIII. the collegiate church was sold by John the abbot to John Russell (Anc. Deeds, A. 12766).

In 1548 it was surrendered to the king and the church pulled down, the buildings called "New Rents" being erected on the site.

Stow tells us that a wine tavern and other houses were built in the precinct (p. 311), which for a considerable period possessed its own prison, bailiff and Court (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 121).

The bounds of the Liberty and a ground plot are set out in Strype (ib. 108).

In 1815 these privileges were finally abolished by the local Act of Parliament passed to provide a site for the new Post Office, which was erected here in 1825-9, and the precinct was made part of the ward of Aldersgate.

An Early English crypt and foundations of an earlier date were found 1818 on the site.

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

← (St.) Martin Ironmonger, Ismonger Lane   ×   (St.) Martin le Grand, Street →

Related Words