It is a curacy, in the gift of the parishioners at large. The old priory close still retains the name of Clerkenwell-close: on the west side of it is a lofty brick house, remarkable for being the reputed dwelling of Oliver Cromwell, and one of the places where meetings were held for the purpose of consulting on the measures which terminated in the dethronement and death of Charles I. The fact of the Usurper's residence here, is, however, not clearly ascertained, and, in all probability, will ever remain in doubt, since the parish books of that period are, by some unaccountable accident, lost; although those prior to it, as well as those which succeeded it, are preserved. A little to the south-east of Clerkenwell priory, where St. John's-square is now situated, stood the house, or hospital, of St. John of Jerusalem, which was founded by the before-mentioned Jordan Briset, and Muriel, his wife, who, for that purpose, purchased of the Prioress and Nuns of Clerkenwell, ten acres of land, on which he erected the said hospital, about the year 1110; but the church belonging to it was not dedicated to St. John the Baptist, till the year 1185. By the profuse liberality of bigots and enthusiasts, this foundation became the chief seat in England, belonging to the Knights Hospitallers; and to such a degree of wealth and honour did they arrive, that their prior was esteemed the first baron in the kingdom, and in state and grandeur vied with the king. Such was the antipathy of the populace to these imperious knights, that the rebels of Kent and Essex, under the conduct of Wat Tyler and his rabble, in the year 1381, consumed this stately edifice by fire. However, it was afterward rebuilt in a much more magnificent manner, and continued upon its former system, system, till it was entirely suppressed by Henry VIII. in the year 1541. 1 Soon after this foundation was suppressed, the building was converted into a repository of martial stores, and the royal hunting equipage; and to these purposes it was applied till the year 1550; when Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, and Protector of the kingdom, caused the church, with its lofty and beautiful steeple, which Stow says was "graven, gilt, and inameled, to the great beautifying of the city, and passing all other that he had seen," to be demolished, and the stones thereof used in building his magnificent palace of Somerset-house. The priory was partly restored by Queen Mary; the remains of the choir, and some side chapels, were repaired by Cardinal Pole, and Sir Thomas Tresham was appointed prior; but it was again suppressed by Elizabeth. Part of the site of this priory is now occupied by St. John's-square, an irregular open place. The southern entrance into it is by the magnificent old gate of the priory, which is still called St. John's-gate. It has a lofty Gothic arch, and, on each side, over the gate, are several escutcheons of arms, carved, under which were formerly inscriptions; but these, by length of time, are now entirely defaced. At the north-east corner of the square, is the parish church of St. John, Clerkenwell, which was at first erected as a chapel of ease to St. James's. It is a plain brick building, with stone corners; and the patronage of it is in the gift of the lord chancellor. Another part of the possessions of these knights was granted to the family of the Bruces, Earls of Aylesbury, who made this their residence. Aylesbury street was built upon the site of their house and gardens. On the west side of Clerkenwell-green is the Sessions-house for the county of Middlesex. The |