Spitalfields

Christ Church, Spitalfields

Spitalfields is an area in Tower Hamlets, in the East End of London, near to Liverpool Street station and Brick Lane. Its name is a contraction of 'hospital fields', in reference to the Priory and Hospital of St Mary Spital, which existed here in Medieval times.

The area is home to the historic Old Spitalfields market. The market, which receives 20,000 visitors every Sunday, was founded here in the 17th century.

History

Spitalfields was the location of one of Roman London's large extra-mural cemeteries, situated to the east of the Bishopsgate thoroughfare, which roughly follows the line of Ermine Street: the main highway to the north from Londinium. The presence of a Roman cemetery here was noticed by the antiquarian John Stow as far back as 1576 and became the focus of a major archaeological excavation in the 1990's, following the redevelopment of Spitalfields Market. Perhaps the most spectacular find was the discovery in 1999 of a sarcophagus containing the remains of a high status, silk clad, Roman lady, complete with jet accesories and a unique glass phial.

In the 12th century the former Roman cemetery became the site of the Priory and Hospital of St Mary Spital. This was one of the biggest medieval hospitals in England and was the focus of a large medieval cemetery which included a stone charnel house and mortuary chapel. This latter has recently been uncovered by archaeologists and preserved for public viewing. The Priory and Hospital were dissolved in 1539 under Henry VIII. The precincts of the priory were re-used as an Artillery Ground and placed under the special jurisdiction of The Tower of London as one of the Tower liberties.

Spitalfields' historic association with the silk industry was established by French Protestant (Huguenot) refugees who settled in this area after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685). By settling here, outside the bounds of the City, they hoped to avoid the restrictive legislation of the City Guilds. The late 17th and 18th century saw new urban development here, with well appointed terraced houses built to accomodate this new merchant elite, who controlled the silk industry, and very grand urban mansions built around the new Spital Square. This importance was underlined by the building of the grand new Christ Church Spitalfields by the architect Hawksmoor in the reign of Queen Anne.

In the 19th century the textile industry first established by the Huguenots attracted a large population of Jewish refugees drawn to live and work in the area. Irish immigrants were also attracted here. By this time, the old merchant dwellings had degenerated into multi-occupied slums and Spitalfields became a by-word for urban deprivation.

Endemic poverty and prostitution in this area was highlighted by the sanguinary activities of the serial killer known as Jack the Ripper, here, in the autumn of 1888, and was brought to notice by social commentators such as Jack London in his The People of the Abyss. London highlighted 'Itchy Park', next to Christ Church Spitalfields, as a notorious rendezvous for homeless vagrants.

In the later 20th century the Jewish presence diminished, to be replaced by an influx of Bangladeshis, who also worked in the local textile industry and made of Brick Lane the curry capital of London.

Today, the housing stock of old merchant terraces to the west of Brick Lane has been saved from demolition and gentrified by exponents of a 'New Georgian' ethos, causing massive inflation in house prices and the removal of the last of the vagrants from this area.

Current 'urban regeneration' has also seen the erection of huge modern office blocks, between Bishopsgate and Spitalfields Market. These represent, in effect, an expansion of the City of London, northwards, beyond its traditional bounds, into this area. However a rear-guard action by conservationists has resulted in the preservation of old Spitalfields Market and the provision of shopping, leisure amenities and a new plaza behind the city blocks.

See also

• Old Artillery Ground
• Old Spitalfields market
• Bethlem Royal Hospital

Art Scene

The area is well known for its arts scene. Whitechapel Gallery is located at the bottom of Brick Lane, and amongst the many well known artists living in Spitalfields are Gilbert and George, Tracey Emin, and Stuart Brisley.

TV presenter, architecture expert and Georgian fanatic, Dan Cruikshank was both an active campaigner for Spitalfields, and continues to live in the area. Dennis Severs foreswore modern comforts at 18 Folgate Street, living a unique life. The house is now open to the public.

In Literature

Spitalfields figures in many classic and contemporary works of literature, which reflect its sense of mystery and its fascinating multicultural heritage, including:

• Children of the Ghetto (1893) by Israel Zangwill
• The People of the Abyss (1903) by Jack London
• Hawksmoor (1985) by Peter Ackroyd
• The Satanic Verses (1988) by Salman Rushdie
• Brick Lane by Monica Ali

In Film

Nineteenth century Spitalfields was recreated as the setting for the film From Hell about Jack the Ripper. This included a reconstruction (in Prague) of the notorious 'Ten Bells' pub (still extant on Commercial Street): alleged to have been a rendezvous of some of the Ripper's prostitute victims, before they were murdered. In the film Johnny Depp (as Inspector Abberline) is seen drinking there with Ripper victim Mary Jane Kelly.

References

Thomas, Sloane and Phillpotts (1997) Excavations at the Priory and Hospital of St Mary Spital, London. Museum of London: London

External links

• spitalfields.org
• visitspitalfields.com
• Spitalfields City Farm
• Spitalfields Market
• 19 Princelet Street Unrestored Huguenot Master weaver's house, with synagogue. Rarely open to the public at present, but eventually to become a museum of immigration & diversity.
• Dennis Severs' House 18th century time capsule