What is the history of Spitalfields?

Like many areas of urban London, Spitalfields was originally relatively rural, although it has been inhabited since Roman times. The location was home to a significant Roman burial ground excavated in the 1990s when Spitalfields market was redeveloped. This site was the location for St Mary Spital, built in the 1190s.

What is the history of the old Spitalfields market?

There has been a regular market in Spitalfields since 1682, when King Charles II granted a Royal Charter for a market to be held there every Thursday and Saturday. For 200 years the market's mix of sheds and stalls fed London's growing appetite for fresh fruit and vegetables, expanding to trade six days a week.

What is the history of Spitalfields and Banglatown?

By the mid-20th century Spitalfields' Jews were moving away to suburbs in north and east London. A Bengali community established itself in the 1960s – although Muslims from the Sylhet district of Assam had been settling here since the late 19th century. The area around Brick Lane has accordingly been dubbed Banglatown.

What were the Spitalfields in the 17th century?

Spitalfields consisted mainly of fields and nursery gardens until its development in the late 17th century. The main local industry at that time was weaving, and many of the weavers were Huguenot refugees from France.

What is the history of brick lane?

Brick Lane was in existence by the 1500s as a field path in open countryside outside the City of London, east of the boundary of the medieval Augustinian Priory of St Mary Spital, which gave Spitalfields its name. Originally the street took its name from the brick kilns first brought here by early Flemish settlers.

Hidden History of Spitalfields' Streets | Pavement Roundels That Share Local History

Why is Brick Lane so famous?

The name Bricklane itself comes from the brick kilns introduced here by early Flemish settlers. These days it is the home of funky art like graffiti, street art and modern art, international food and handmade ice creams . It is also the home of vintage fashion with many shops and several flea markets.

What is a fun fact about Spitalfields?

Spitalfields served as a microcosm of this polyglot society, the 'melting pot' fusion of east and west. Historically, it has played host to a transient community – primarily for new immigrants. Spitalfields had been relatively rural until the Great Fire of London.

Why is Spitalfields famous?

Spitalfields: A Home for Immigrants

In the 17th century, many Huguenots (French Protestants) fled from religious persecution in France and settled in Spitalfields. They brought their skills to silk weaving and created a thriving industry that made Spitalfields famous for its delicate fabrics.

What is Spitalfields famous for?

Weaving, always a London activity, became a mainstay of Spitalfields, in particular the silk weaving industry imported by French Huguenots. Today's tailoring textile, garment and leather trades are a continuation of that tradition.

Why did most Huguenots settle in Spitalfields?

By the time the Huguenots settled in the area, it had become more developed, with timber-framed buildings and narrow streets intersecting just outside the city gates. In 1685, over 50,000 Huguenot Protestants arrived in Britain, fleeing religious persecution in Catholic France.

Who owns Spitalfields?

Who owns Spitalfields Market? It was acquired by the City of London in 1920. In 2005, a redevelopment programme split the market from Old Spitalfields market which is owned by Ashkenazy Acquisitions. Read more about our history on our history page, Wikipedia or British History Online.

What was originally sold at Spitalfields Market?

Historic market

There has been a market on the site since 1638 when King Charles I gave a licence for flesh, fowl and roots to be sold on Spittle Fields, which was then a rural area on the eastern outskirts of London.

Which part of London is Spitalfields?

Spitalfields, neighbourhood in the London borough of Tower Hamlets. It is situated just east of the Bishopsgate section of the former London Wall. In the Middle Ages it belonged to the priory and hospital, or “spital,” of St. Mary, which was founded in 1197 by Walter and Rose Brown.

Is Spitalfields Market worth visiting?

Spitalfields and Shoreditch is a very nice areas of London. The indoor market, although has a long history of being a fruit and vegetable market, is now full of restaurants and funky shops. The area around the market is worth exploring with graffiti art and old alleyways and pubs worth exploring.

What is the oldest market in London?

A brief history of Borough Market

The exact origins of Borough Market remain unclear, but many historians believe it has existed since the 11^th century, possibly earlier. There are records of a market located near London Bridge in 1276.

What is the oldest shop front in London?

Is Spitalfields a nice part of London?

One of the best areas of East London is found in the Whitechapel neighbourhood, which has two famous markets, Block Lane, and Old Spitalfields Market. Adjacent to Victoria Park, Columbia Road Market, Shoreditch, and Old Road nightlife is also close by, and you can reach central London through a fast flight.

Is Spitalfields a nice area to live?

Spitalfields area guide

The vibrant mix of communities and activities lends an off - beat vibe that attracts young Londoners who gravitate towards the numerous bars, clubs, fashion outlets and graduate art shows with several outdoor festivals taking place during the warmer months.

Which market is the best in London?

Why is there a goat at Spitalfields?

The Goat is a symbol for the waves of immigrants who found sanctuary in Spitalfields. Spitalfields derived its name from the hospital and priory, St Mary's Spittel, founded in 1197. Explore this charming museum here.

Is Petticoat Lane still a market?

Although the street was renamed Middlesex Street in the early 1800s it is still known as Petticoat Lane Market today. From Monday to Friday Petticoat Lane Market is located on Wentworth Street but on Sundays, it spreads out much further.

How did London Fields get its name?

History. In 1275, the area now known as London Fields was recorded as common pasture land adjoining Cambridge Heath. The park was first recorded by name in 1540; in the singular as 'London Field'. Still common ground, it was used by drovers to pasture their livestock before taking them to market in London.

Where did Spitalfields move to?

Smithfield, Billingsgate and New Spitalfields markets to move to Dagenham Dock. The City of London has received the green light to relocate its three historic food markets to a purpose-built site at Dagenham Dock in east London.

What is an interesting historical fact about East London?

The coast of East London has significant historical attributes for example the Nahoon footprints which have been dated at 200 000 years old. This would make it the oldest fossilized human footprints in the world.