Fragment of London Wall, Churchyard of St. Giles Cripplegate

by J.T. Smith
1793

A fragment of London Wall, drawn in 1793 and published in Ancient Topography of London, by John Thomas Smith (London: J. M'Creery, published and sold by the proprietor, John Thomas Smith, etc., 1815) (facing page 36).

The caption under the illustration reads:

A Venerable Fragment of London Wall, as it stood in the Church-yard of St. Giles Cripplegate in 1793, since which period the battlements have been taken down and in 1803 a brick wall was erected in their stead, at the expense of the parish.

From the text:

This view contains the most perfect part of London Wall remaining within my time, as built in the reign of King Edward the Fourth, 1477; and which probably owed its preservation to its unexposed situation. But this curious piece of antiquity was doomed at last to meet its demolition, by reason of the frequent nuisances committed by some of the lowest class of people, who had been suffered to inhabit the adjoining premises; and in consequence of their depredations, the wall became so mutilated, that the Parish was induced to apply to the City for repairs; but finally, after some contest, it was settled by the City, that as they had no farther occasion to keep up their walls, the parish should be entitled to as much of London Wall, as bounded their church-yard. In consequence of this arrangement, the parish took down the fragments of battlements, and repaired the wall in a perfectly plain manner, as a safer screen from future innovation; to perpetuate which, the following inscription cut in stone, was let into the wall: "This wall was repaired at the expense of the Parish of St. Giles, Cripplegate, Thomas Dolly, William Robson, Churchwardens, 1803."

This part of London Wall, bounding the church-yard, commences at the East, immediately from the back of Mr. Tylor's, No 3, Cripplegate Buildings, and continues westwardly to the foundation of a corner round tower. From thence it takes a southerly direction to the back of Barber-Surgeons' Hall, at which spot the church-yard terminates.

(36–37)