Temple Bar

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

At the western end of Fleet Street on the boundary of Farringdon Ward Without (O.S.1848-50).


A gateway separating Fleet Street from the Strand and forming the western boundary of the City Liberties.

First mention: " Barram Novi Templi," 21 Ed. I. (Cal. I. p.m.). Other forms : " La Temple barre," 1351 (Ct. H.W. I. 653).

Strype says in old times there were only posts, rails, and a chain there as at Holborn, and that the Gate was a later erection, first of timber, but after the Fire much larger and of Stone with side posterns (ed. 1720, I. iii. 278). It is referred to as "the gate called "Templebarre," 1353 (Cal. P.R. 1350-4, pp.528-530).

There was a prison there as well as at Neugate and the Flete, 1351 (Ct. H.W. I. 653).

Removed 1878 as obstructing the traffic. The Griffin now marks the site of the Bar.

After the removal of the gateway in 1878-9 remains were found of a staircase and chambers, proving that the gate had been intended originally to accommodate a custodian and had possibly been designed as a guard-house (Trans. L. and M. Arch. Soc. VI. 235).

Temple Bar has always possessed a unique interest, as being the point at which the sovereign entered the City in state, receiving from the Lord Mayor the sword of the City, which the sovereign restored into his keeping forthwith.

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

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