The extensive records of the middle temple, which survive from the sixteenth century, have been mined to produce a substantial work of literary, social and legal history. Luxury venue hire london historic venue middle temple venue. Middle temple hall is probably the finest example of an elizabethan hall in london. Over the years, cenfad has invited guest speakers to give talks on issues that relate to the study of force and diplomacy. Middle temple hall four centuries of history joseph dean on. Past speakers have included pulitzer and bancroftwinning scholars such as john lewis gaddis, ari kelman, melvyn leffler, and fredrik logevall, current and former government officials including gov. It was an oasis of calm after walking through the hectic streets of london. Begun in 1562 when edmund plowden, the famous law reporter, was treasurer of the inn, it has remained little altered to the present day. The best way of moving beyond the iron gates and experiencing middle temple hall itself is to book a lunch there during the week nonmembers are.
Middle temple hall is probably the finest example of an elizabethan hall in. Book your tickets online for middle temple hall, london. Two walls are lined with coats of arms and suits of armour. An escape hatch on fleet street into a more hushed and. Temple universitys center for public history cph aims to be the preeminent provider of public history training in the greater philadelphia area. On the west side of middle temple lane, within the temple precincts p. Middle temple hall is generally reckoned to be the finest elizabethan hall surviving in london. To mark the celebration of the quatercentury of the first recorded performance of william shakespeares twelfth night, there will be a short run of the play at the middle temple hall in the city of london from 25th jan 02 to 10th feb 02, performed by mark rylance and the new. Aug 28, 2008 a s you would expect of a former dining room of elizabeth i, middle temple hall is imperial and imposing. Middle temple library is open to all members of the four inns of court. The history of the middle temple is an integral part of its identity. In 1562, the lawyers built the middle temple hall which was formally opened by queen elizabeth i in 1576.
For those who are unable to access the library in person, we also offer a document delivery service. The honourable society of the middle temple facebook. Middle temple article about middle temple by the free. Middle temple hall, city and county of the city of london. In this period the students often organised and acted in plays and masques at winter festival times at the inns hall. The old hall stood between pump court and elm court. Antic disposition specializes in creative staging of classics primarily by shakespeare. Twelfth night, at the middle temple hall by globe theatre. The lane is not now of the same importance as when a right of way for the citizens of london lay through the temple, in order that they might take boat to westminster from the temple stairs. Librarians have been recorded in the inns bench book since 1643. The seclusion and majestic elegance of middle temple lends itself perfectly to create a unique and stylish wedding day. Our seasonal menus are filled with freshly prepared dishes that are sure to delight your tastebuds.
Middle temple hall 17 during the last quarter of the sixteenth century the middle temple hall was erected and still remains one of the finest specimens of elizabethan architecture. Event spaces historic venue hire london middle temple. The honourable society of the middle temple, commonly known simply as middle temple. May 19, 2001 the other night i was a guest at a dinner at the middle temple.
The best way of moving beyond the iron gates and experiencing middle temple hall itself is to book a lunch there during the week nonmembers are welcome. As it is a private library we are not open to the general public, but we do accept enquiries in special circumstances from nonmembers and academic researchers by appointment only. Over time, the middle temple amassed a worldfamous collection of silver. A breathtaking venue in the heart of london, middle temple is available for a range of events, including weddings, gala dinners and board meetings. The woodpanelled walls and stainedglass windows are awash with the coats of arms of notable lawyers. The inns name derives from the knights templar who had been in possession of the temple site for over 150 years prior to that. The inner temple still has a section of its medieval hall, complete with 15thcentury fireplace. Middle temple hall miless lane british history online. A hall lunch booking can also be preceded by a tour of the middle temple buildings and. Middle temple hall within the inns of court is one of londons finest example of elizabethan architecture, virtually unaltered since it opened in 1562. The honourable society of the middle temple, london, united kingdom. The elizabethan red brick hall retains much of its original character despite bombing raids and renovations to its exterior over the centuries. Richard haverys history of the middle temple is compiled with stunning scholarship and not a little love. It is the sort of place one would expect to be open to members only.
Attractively glazed and matted 19 x 1612 colortinted copperplate in handsome 30 x 2512 wooden frame, small brass plaque to bottom. Indeed, the inns of court still are londons premier colleges for the training of lawyers barristers and judges. These societieslincolns inn, grays inn, the inner temple, and the middle temple see also temple, thedate from before the. Qualifying sessions, formerly known as dinners, combine collegiate and educational elements and will usually combine a dinner or reception with lectures, debates, mooting, or musical performances.
Being a register of benchers of the middle temple from the earliest records to the present time, with historical introduction authors middle temple london, england, arthur robert ingpen. Middle temple hall middle temple lane london ec4y 9at. Apr 28, 2020 1 law reports image has been flipped to display correctly in zoom 2 library interior main floor 3 library interior main floor 2 4 library interior gallery 5 middle temple hall, handcoloured intaglio print after a drawing by th shepherd, c1828 6 taking commons, print of members taking commons in middle temple hall after a. Find us middle temple hall temple music foundation.
Located in the heart of londons legal quarter, middle temple hall is one of the four ancient inns of court. Register of admissions to the honourable society of the middle temple, from the fifteenth century to the year 1944, volume 1 middle temple london, england published for the honourable society of the middle temple by butterworth, 1949 lawyers 1174 pages. Books for supplementing history curriculum score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. The knights had two halls, whose modern successors are the middle temple hall and the inner temple hall. Being the work of a writer of history, the middle temple murder is also full of interesting nuggets of information and ambiance that evoke the london of the early 1900s.
The honourable society of the middle temple, commonly known simply as middle temple, is one of the four inns of court exclusively entitled to call their members to the english bar as barristers, the others being the inner temple, grays inn and lincolns inn. Middle temple, city and county of the city of london. Middle temple hall was built on the s side of fountain court in what was considered the middle of the temple area. Food is buffetstyle but with a very wide selection, all of excellent quality. Steeped in history, it was once home to the knights templar. A s you would expect of a former dining room of elizabeth i, middle temple hall is imperial and imposing. The history of the temple begins soon after the middle of the twelfth century, when a contingent of knights of the military order of the temple of solomon in jerusalem moved from the old temple in holborn later southampton house to a larger site between fleet street and the banks of the river thames. One of the largest and most magnificent in england strype. It was first located in chambers to the left of the original hall entrance. Denton, alexander ii 1679 1740, of the middle temple published in the history of parliament.
Inner temple hall is on the site of the original templar hall and middle temple. Middle temple venue luxury venue hire london historic. In addition, a variety of books relating to the temple church and its work. Interior has richly carved hammerbeam roof and screen. Middle temple hall is at the heart of the inn, and the inns student members are required to attend a. Our only knowledge of it would derive from oral tradition and myth were it not for the survival of the inns historic records and the hard work of over a century of enthusiasts, historians, and library and records professionals in preserving them and making them accessible. Event spaces historic venue hire london middle temple venue. The breadth of the subject matter of the older books in the inns library attests to. The middle temple has been engaged in a programme of works for a number of years intended to provide step free access into and around our buildings thereby making them accessible to all. Center for the study of force and diplomacy temple university. It is also an early example of the procedural crime story, where the facts become available to the reader in a logical sequence yet the identity of the criminal is kept. We offer competitive day delegate rates, including tailored menus from our firstclass inhouse catering team and full av support. The history of the middle temple is a long and fascinating one. Music in the temple for centuries to the present day, music has been at the heart of the temple, an oasis lying between the city of westminster and the city of london.
Jun 10, 2011 the history of the middle temple is a long and fascinating one. Visiting middle temple catherines cultural wednesdays. Twelfth night, at the middle temple hall by globe theatre from 25th jan 02 to 10th feb 02. Mar 31, 2020 1 law reports image has been flipped to display correctly in zoom 2 library interior main floor 3 library interior main floor 2 4 library interior gallery 5 middle temple hall, handcoloured intaglio print after a drawing by th shepherd, c1828 6 taking commons, print of members taking commons in middle temple hall after a. Fountain court is bounded by garden court to the southwest, middle temple hall to the southeast, middle temple lane to the east, essex court nos. History the middle temple and the other three inns of court were established by the middle of the 14th century. The other night i was a guest at a dinner at the middle temple. Middle temple hall one of the finest elizabethan banqueting halls in england completed in the early 1570s, middle temple hall has survived civil unrest and wars across the centuries. Its long tradition of arts and music shakespeares twelfth night was given its first performance at middle temple continues, and the atmospheric venue is often used for prestigious. Middle temple ec4, fountain court south side, middle temple hall 04. Middle temple hall is a spectacular elizabethan building with a magnificent double hammerbeam roof. It was built between 1562 and 1573 and remains virtually unchanged to this day having survived the great fire of london in 1666 and both world wars. Sitting in in the hall where twelfth night was first performed in 1602, it was easy to feel a little envy. The narrower east side known as hall court until the late c17, is approached from middle temple lane and is unornamented except for a few trees.
The re union dinner was held in middle temple hall, on. Bbc travel the hidden world of the knights templar. On it is laid the book which members sign when they are called to the bar and by it. Abaa middle temple hall, 1800, framed color tinted. Middle temple hall is at the heart of the inn, and the inns student members are required to attend a minimum of 12 qualifying sessions there. Ancient history for middle and high school 12 books. One of the middle temples main functions now is to provide education and support for new members to the profession. On the wall of essex court, which forms part of the north side of fountain court, is a sundial dated 1685.
This is done through advocacy training, the provision of scholarships over. Middle temple hall 17 during the last quarter of the sixteenth century the middle temple hall was erected and still remains one of the finest specimens of. Dining with the high priests of the middle temple books. Denton, alexander ii 16791740, of the middle temple. I visited middle temple hall to attend a performance of a christmas carol by antic disposition.
Middle temple continues to service the legal profession today, and also houses some of. The name is shared with inner temple, middle temple, temple church and the temple bar. Middle temple hall london 2020 all you need to know. Templars held the estate of the temple from the twelfth century until their suppression in the early fourteenth century. The magnificent tudor hall of the middle temple was completed in 1574. Jan 17, 2015 middle temple hall is part of the inner temple.