Temple Church

The Temple Church is a 12th century church in London located between Fleet Street and the River Thames. Originally constructed as the headquarters in England of the Knights Templar, it was the scene of important negotiations leading to the signing of Magna Carta in 1215. After the destruction of the Templar order in the 14th century, it became Crown property and for the last seven centuries has been the headquarters for two colleges of barristers. Famous today for its effigy tombs, the church was heavily damaged during the Second World War but has been largely restored. The area around the Temple Church is known as "Temple" and nearby is Temple tube station. It was also featured as part of the novel the Da Vinci Code.

Later History

After the destruction and abolition of the Knights Templar in 1307, Edward II took control of the church as a Crown possession. It was later given to the Knights Hospitaller, who rented the Temple to two colleges of lawyers who were looking for a home in London in order to attend the royal courts in Westminster. The two colleges, collectively called the Inns of the Court, and individually known as the Inner and Middle Temples, shared the use of the church. Following a later agreement in 1608 by James I, the Inns of the Court were granted the use of the church in perpetuity and continue to use the Temple as their chapel to the present day.

Related Topics:
1307 - Edward II - Knights Hospitaller - Westminster - Inns of the Court - Inner - Middle Temple - 1608 - James I

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In 1540, the church became the property of The Crown once again when Henry VIII abolished the Knights Hospitaller in England and confiscated their property. Henry provided a priest for the church under the former title "Master of the Temple". In the 1580s, the church was the scene of the Battle of the Pulpits, a theological conflict between Calvinists and supporters of the Church of England.

Related Topics:
1540 - Henry VIII - Priest - 1580s - Battle of the Pulpits - Theological - Calvinists - Church of England

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The church went undamaged in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Nevertheless, it was refurbished by Christopher Wren, who made extensive modifications to the interior, including the introduction of an organ to the church for the first time. The church was restored again in 1841 by Smirke and Burton, who decorated the walls and ceiling in the high Victorian Gothic style, in an attempt to bring the church back to its original appearance.

Related Topics:
Great Fire of London - 1666 - Christopher Wren - Organ - 1841 - Victorian Gothic

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On May 10, 1941, during the height of the Battle of Britain, a German air raid of incendiary bombs set the roof of the Round Church on fire, and the fire quickly spread by wind to the nave and chapel. The organ and all the wood of the church, including the Victorian renovations, were destroyed. During the renovation, it was discovered that the renovations made by Wren in the 17th century were in storage and were replaced in their original position. The church was rededicated in November 1958.

Related Topics:
May 10 - 1941 - Battle of Britain - German - 17th century - 1958

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