The Diary of Samuel Pepys

Daily entries from the 17th century London diary

St Paul's Churchyard

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The overlays that highlight 17th century London features are approximate and derived from:

7 Annotations

Phil   Link to this

While there is now a street called St. Paul's Churchyard running south of the cathedral, a map in Latham & Matthews places the churchyard as being to the north east of the then cathedral.

Paul Miller   Link to this

St. Paul's Cathedral, situated on the highest Ground of the City, was first founded about the Year 610, by Ethelbert King of Kent, and Segbert King of the West Saxons, in a Wood or Grove, where stood formerly a Temple of Diana, the Heathen Goddess; which Opinion was farther confirmed in the Time of King Edward the Second, about 1310, and 700 Years after the first Foundation, when Workmen digging thereabouts, they found above 100 Heads of Oxen, which were the Sacrifices offered to the foresaid Goddess. After several Disasters by Fire, it was wholly consumed in the dreadful Conflagration of 1666; however it was quickly began to be rebuilt, and finished within these few Years, so that it is now the most ample and celebrated Piece of Architecture in the whole World, and the largest Cathedral, being 20 Foot longer than St. Peter's at Rome. It is dedicated (as before) to the Apostle Paul; the History of whose Conversion, and Preaching to the Bereans, is curiously represented upon the West Portico; opposite to which in the Church Yard, is erected a most magnificent Statute of white Marble, to the Honour of the late Queen Anne.
---- W. Stow 1722

nick sweeney   Link to this

Paul's Churchyard is notable for being the centre of the London publishing and bookselling trade during the period, right on through the eighteenth century. Iain Sinclair writes about how the booksellers of St Paul's allegedly stored their wares in the cathedral crypt during the Fire, in the hope that they'd be preserved. In the end, all that paper appears to have fuelled the flames.

David Quidnunc   Link to this

3 Businessmen at St. Paul's Churchyard:

Joshua Kirton, bookseller
http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclopedia/1539/

Cousin Tom Pepys, turner
http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclopedia/116/

Thomas Nevill, a draper
http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclopedia/1524/

Brian McMullen   Link to this

The Rocque map reference:

http://www.motco.com/Map/81002/SeriesSearchPlat...

Mark   Link to this

Does anybody know who to contact about using this the space at St Pauls church yard,it is for a BBQ,or anybody know an open space near EC4,thanks.
Mark

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