Monument Square

Monument Square

On the east side of Fish Street Hill, extending to Pudding Lane. In Billingsgate Ward and Bridge Ward Within.

First mention: O.S. 1894–6.

Former name: "Monument Yard" (O. and M. 1677–O.S. 1880).

It has now been absorbed into Monument Street, viz. about 1911.

The Monument occupied the centre of the Square, which was erected on the site whereon previously stood the church of St. Margaret, Fish Street Hill.

Monument yard, a pretty small square, on the E. side of New fish-street hill. This yard takes its name from the Monument here set up, designed by the ingenious Sir Christoph. Wrenn; and 'tis a noble Column of the Dorick Order fluted, whose Altitude is 202 foot from the ground, the greatest Diameter of the Shaft (or Body) of the Column is 15 foot, the Ground bounded by the Plinth or lowest part of the Pedestal 28 foot square, and the Pedestal is in Altitude 40 foot, all of Portland stone; within is a large Stair-case of black Marble, containing 345 steps ? ½ inches broad, and 6 inches risers, and a Balcony within 32 foot of the very top, where is a curious and spacious gilded Flame; very suitable to the Intent of the whole Column: which was erected to perpetuate the Memory of those Flames which destroy'd the best part of this noble City.

On the N. side is a Latin Inscription; in English thus:

In the Year of Christ 1666. the 2d day of Sept. Ed from hence, at the distance of 202 Foot (the heighth of this Column) about Midnight a most terrible Fire broke out, which, driven on by a high Wind, not only wasted the adjacent Parts, but also Place very remote, with incredible Noise and Fury: It consumed 89 Churches, the City Gates, Guild-hall, many Publick Structures, Hospitals, Schools, Libraries, a vast number of stately Edifices, 13200 Dwelling Houses, 400 Streets; of 26 Wards, it utterly destroyed 15, and left 8 others shattered and half burnt; the Ruins of the City were 436 Acres, from the Tower by the Thames side, to the Temple Church, and from the NE Gate along the City Wall to Holbourn bridge: To the Estates and Fortunes of the Citizens it was merciless, but to their Lives very favourable; that it might in all things resemble the last Conflagration of the World.

The Destruction was sudden; for in a small space of time, the same City was seen most flourishing and reduced to nothing.

Three Days after, when this fatal Fire had baffled all Human Counsels and Endeavours in the Opinion of all, as it were by the Will of Heaven it stop'd, and on every side was extinguish'd.

On the S. side is also another Inscription in Latin; English'd thus:

Charles II. Son of Charles the Martyr, King of great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, a most gracious Prince, commiserating the deplorable State of things, while the Ruins were yet smoaking, provided for the Comfort of his City, remitted their Taxes, and referred the Petitions of the Magistrates and Inhabitants to the Parliament, who immediately passed an Act, That Publick Works should be restored to a greater Beauty with Publick Money, to be raised by an Imposition on Coals; That Churches, and the Cathedral of St. Paul's should be rebuilt from their Foundation with all Magnificence; That Bridges, Gates and Prisons should be new made; the Shores cleansed, the Streets made straight and regular; such as were steep, levell'd; and those too narrow, made wider; and Markets and Shambles removed to separate Places. They also enacted, That every House should be built with Party Walls, and all in Front raised of equal height, and those Walls all of squared Stone or Brick, and that no Man should delay Building beyond the space of seven Years. Moreover, Care was taken by Law to prevent all Suits about their Bounds; also Anniversary Prayers were enjoined, and to perpetuate the Memory hereof to Posterity, they caused this Column to be erected. The Work was carried on with Diligence, London is restored, but it is uncertain, whether with greater Speed or Beauty: A three years time finished what was supposed to be the Business of an Age.

On the E. side is also another Inscription; thus English'd:

This was begun, Sir Richard Ford Kt. being Lord Mayor of London, in the Year 1671.

Carried on by,

Sir Geo. Waterman, Kt. Sir Robert Hanson, Kt. Sir Will. Hooker, Kt. Sir Robert Viner, Kt. Sir Joseph Sheldon, St.

Ld. Mayors.

And finished, Sir Thomas Davies, Kt. being Lord Mayor, in the Year 1677.

On the Front or W. side of the Die of the Pedestal of this noble Column, is finely carved, a curious Emblem of this Tragical Scene; the 11 principal Figures done in Relievo, viz.

1. At the N. end of the said Plain, is represented in Basso Relievo, the City in Flames, and the Inhabitants in a Consternation, with their Arms extended upward, and crying out for Succour.

2. A little nearer the Horizon are the Arms, Cap of maintenance, and other Ensigns of the City's Grandeur, partly buried under the Ruins.

3. On the Ruins lies the Figure of a Woman crowned with a Castle, her Breasts Pregnant, and in her Hand a Sword; denoting the strong, plentiful, and well govern'd City of London in Distress.

4. The Sovereign (K. Charles II.) is represented standing on an Arabathrum, or Place ascended to by (three) Steps, in Roman Habit, providing with his Power and prudent Directions (as is expressed by the Inscription on the S. side) for the Comfort of his Citizens, and Ornament of his City.

5. On the said Steps, stand in the King's Presence, the Figures of three Women, that next his Majesty representing Liberty, having in her Right Hand a Hat, whereon is the Word Libertatis, denoting the Freedom or Liberty given to those that engaged 3 Years in the Work.

6. Another of the said 3 Women is Ichnographia, with Rule and Compasses in one Hand (the Instruments whereby Plans and Designs are delineated in due Proportion) and a Scroll partly unrolled in the other Hand, whereon such Designs are to be drawn; and near this is a Bee-hive, the known Emblem of Industry.

7. The third of the said Figures, represents Imagination, holding the Emblem of Invention, and having on her Head Wings, and small Children (as being swift and fruitful), and on the Border of her Garment these Words, Non Aliunde; all which shew, that the speedy Re-erection of the City, is principally owing to Liberty, Imagination, Contrivance, Art, and Industry.

8. And farther, to encourage the said Citizens, here is the Figure of Time, elevating the Woman in Distress, and Providence with his winged Hand, containing an Eye, promising Peace and Plenty, by pointing towards those 2 Figures appearing above the Clouds.

9. Behind the King (as it were Ed.) the Work is going forward, as Scaffolding, Labourers carrying Materials, &c.

10. Partly within a camerated Cell, under the Sovereigns Feet, appeareth Envy, diabolically enraged at the Measures concerted, and the great prospect of Success. He is endeavouring to renew the Disaster, by blowing Flames out of his Mouth towards the distressed City.

11. On the same Plain, Sd from the King, is a Lyon with one forefoot tyed up and curbed by the Left Hand of Fortitude, in whose Right Hand is a Sword, under which Figures appears the Muzzle of a Cannon, which denote this deplorable Loss and Misfortune to happen in time of War.

12. Betn that and the King, is the Figure of Mars, with a Chaplet in his Hand, an Emblem, that an approaching Honourable Peace would be the Consequence of the War.

And above this, round the Cornish of the Pedestal, are noble Enrichments of Trophy Work and the Queens Arms; also of the Sword, Mace, Cap of Maintenance, &c. and at each Angle a very spacious and fierce Dragon, all very artfully and exquisitely carved in Stone, in great Perfection, performed by that late ingenious Statuarist, Mr. Sibber.

Round the Base of the Pedestal, near the Reglets, is inscribed the Words following, which were expunged in the time of the late King James, and re-inscribed very deep in the late King William's Reign:

This Pillar was set up in perpetual Remembrance of that most dreadful burning of this Protestant City, begun and carried on by the Treachery and Malice of the Popish Faction, in the beginning of September, in the Year of our Lord 1666, in order to the carrying on their horrid Plot for extirpating the Protestant Religion and Old English Liberty, and the introducing Popery and Slavery.

Directly Ed from this Column, distant as aforesaid, 202 Foot therefrom, on the E. side of Pudding lane, is the House where this fatal Conflagration commenced; on the Front of which House, now inhabited by Mr. Jos. Wilson a Wine Cooper, in a Stone is the following Inscription:

Here, by the Permission of Heaven, Hell broke loose upon this Protestant City, from the malicious Hearts of barbarous Papists, by the Hand of their Agent Hubert, who confessed, and on the Ruins of this Place declared the Fact, for which he was hanged, viz. That here begun that dreadful Fire, which is described and perpetuated on and by the Neighbouring Pillar.

Erected Anno 1681, in the Mayoralty of Sir Patience Ward, Kt.

Monument yard, New Fish street hill, so called from the Monument placed in it.

Monument-Yard, Fish-Street-Hill,—the open space by the Monument near London-bridge.

Monument-Yard, Fish-street-hill, is the open space by the before-mentioned Monument, and is so called from its locality.

Monument Yard, the open space by the Monument, Fish Street Hill, marks the site of the churchyard of St. Margaret, Fish Street, destroyed in the Great Fire. The pious Robert Nelson (Fasts and Festivals) was living here, 1703, while in attendance at his mother's deathbed.