Temple, London

Temple, London. A historic legal district and enclave in central London, situated between the City of London and the City of Westminster. The area is named for its historical association with the Knights Templar, who established their English headquarters here in the 12th century. Today, it is internationally renowned as the home of two of the four Inns of Court, Inner Temple and Middle Temple, which are central to the legal profession in England and Wales.

History

The site was originally acquired by the Knights Templar in the 1160s, establishing a monastic complex that served as their English headquarters. Following the suppression of the order in 1312, the property was granted to the Knights Hospitaller. In the 14th century, legal scholars and practitioners began to occupy the premises, a process formalized when James I granted the land to the Inner Temple and Middle Temple societies in 1608. The area suffered significant damage during the Great Fire of London in 1666 and again from bombing in the Blitz during the Second World War. Notable historical events include the Civil War era tensions and the 18th-century development of the Temple Church, a rare surviving Norman round church. The precinct has been a continuous center for legal education since the late medieval period, with figures like William Blackstone and Francis Bacon having strong associations with the Inns.

Geography and layout

The area is a defined precinct bounded by the River Thames to the south, Victoria Embankment and Temple Avenue to the east, Fleet Street to the north, and the boundary with the City of Westminster near the Royal Courts of Justice to the west. It is divided into two main sections: the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple, each with its own gardens, halls, and chambers. Key features include the Temple Church, the secluded Fountain Court, and the historic Middle Temple Hall, a fine example of Elizabethan architecture. The layout is characterized by a network of narrow lanes and courtyards, such as Crown Office Row and Pump Court, creating an oasis of quiet distinct from the surrounding bustle of central London.

Governance and institutions

Temple is an independent extra-parochial area, historically a liberty. It is not part of any ecclesiastical parish and falls under the shared secular jurisdiction of the City of London and the City of Westminster for different portions. The primary governing bodies are the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple and the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, which are self-governing institutions responsible for calling barristers to the Bar of England and Wales. These Inns, along with Lincoln's Inn and Gray's Inn, constitute the Inns of Court. The Temple Church is a Royal Peculiar under the direct jurisdiction of the monarch. Security and maintenance within the precincts are managed by the Inns' own administrations.

Cultural significance

The area has a profound cultural footprint, heavily featured in literature and drama. It is famously the setting for a pivotal scene in William Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part 1 where the Wars of the Roses conflict is symbolized by plucking red and white roses in the gardens. Charles Dickens used Middle Temple Hall as the location for the wedding feast in Martin Chuzzlewit and referenced the locale in Bleak House. The Temple Church has been depicted in works like The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, boosting its modern profile. Its atmospheric lanes and historic architecture have made it a frequent filming location for productions set in historical London, including adaptations of Sherlock Holmes stories.

Transport

The area is primarily served by Temple tube station on the District and Circle lines, with entrances on Victoria Embankment. Key nearby mainline stations include Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and Charing Cross. Multiple London Buses routes run along the adjacent Fleet Street and Strand, providing connections across Central London. The Thames Path national trail passes along the riverfront, and the Blackfriars Bridge and Waterloo Bridge are within easy walking distance for pedestrian and vehicular access to the South Bank.

Category:Areas of London Category:Inns of Court Category:History of London Category:City of London Category:City of Westminster