Oxford University had already been founded late in the C12th and Cambridge soon after. Yet despite the importance of these two medieval seats of learning, no other university was built until the C19th. Thus the Inns of Court in London together acted as the city's de facto university, founded on collegiate standards. Each inn had a master, tutors, chapel, lectures, exams and academic regulations.
Dancing was a desirable culture for upper-class gentlemen and so the revels were held on feast days. The dances were large affairs and the feasts were grand: In 1574 there were 769 barristers, staff and students in the Inns.
The average age at admission was 17, half of them having previously attended University. Although some wealthy merchants were able to send their sons to the costly Inns, the majority of students were sons of the landed gentry.
Lincoln's Inn
The Utter Barristers were practitioners who used their chambers as law offices, and who taught younger members of the Inns. Students also attended courts at Parliament, and participated in moots/mock trials and debates. Judges and senior practitioners formed a governing body for each Inn of Court, and were called the benchers. Readers lectured during the intervals between legal terms.
Students began as Inner Barristers. After 7 years, they could be confirmed as an Utter Barrister, qualified member of the Bar. Only then could they be admitted to a set of chambers. Senior barristers who become King’s or Queen's Counsels “took silk” gowns.
Today the Inns still have the exclusive right to admit barristers to the profession. Even now almost all chambers are still in the Inns of Court. But note that modern students no longer have to sleep in the Inns.
The majority of gentlemen who attended the Inns did not go on in a legal career. By the late C16th, only 15% of students pursued studies long enough to be admitted to the bar. For the rest, the Inns served as a sort of finishing school, enjoy London’s opportunities with peers and learn law.
Middle and Inner Temple Inns, geographically and historically so close, are collectively known as The Temple. The red brick gate way, which has been attributed to Wren 1685, leads into Middle Temple Lane. Middle Temple (1560s) survives with one of the best Elizabethan interiors in London. The hall’s interior is spanned by a double hammer beam roof, officially opened by Queen Elizabeth I. And she donated a gift of the 30' long high table made from a single oak. Note the spectacular carved oak Armada screen, from the wood of a captured Spanish galleon. The loveliest parts of Middle Temple are the library, dining hall and chapel.
Library in Inner Temple
In Inner Temple, the library is huge. In addition to the English legal material, Inner Temple holds a specialist collection of Commonwealth countries’ legal materials. The collection includes British history, Literature, Genealogy and Heraldry. Inner Temple hall is perfect for legal or public banqueting.
Early Elizabethan drama owed much to the performance of plays in these halls at festive seasons. The first English tragedy was written by two members of the Inn in 1561, and performed in the Inner Temple Hall. The first regular English comedy was first acted in Gray's Inn Hall, 5 years later. Comedy of Errors was performed in Gray's Inn Hall in 1594, between dancing and revelry. It was for a Christmas revel at the Middle Temple that Shakespeare wrote Twelfth Night 1601 which the bard himself performed. Shakespeare made mention of the Temple in Henry VI, where he says that the white [York] and red roses [Lancaster], used as badges in the War of the Roses, were plucked in Middle Temple Gardens.
The two Inns share the round Temple Church off Fleet Street. Built to the Templar pattern in 1160, it copied the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem. It had a round nave, oblong choir and piers of black polished marble, Norman west door, priests' hall and cloister. There are 9 marble Associates monuments, in full knightly gear.
Temple Church
The grandest Inn, Gray's Inn in Holborn High St was founded only 25 years later (1371). Gray’s has a small but lovely hall, and a handsome cupola. Gray’s has a lovely C17th gateway and its library has one of the most complete law books collections. Their amazing Spanish Armada carved screen came from Elizabeth I’s Lord High Admiral!
Although the Law Society is based in Gray's Inn, the costs for running this organisation are provided by all four inns collectively. The Law Society's main responsibilities are: education of barristers, scholarships, chambers and publication of professional literature.
The most recent of the Inns, Lincoln's Inn Chancery Lane, was first mentioned in 1422 documents and named after the Earl of Lincoln. Note the Tudor gatehouse (1518) and the chapel attributed to Inigo Jones. The original Old Hall was extended twice.
Lincoln's Inn Fields were laid out in 1618 by Inigo Jones. It was the largest square in London, and the most fashionable. In 1640s it was agreed that smart houses could be built around the square, but that the greenery would never be ruined. It all feels rural!
The neo-Gothic Royal Courts of Justice in Fleet St is modern (1874-82) because, till then, Westminster Palace Hall served as the King's Courts of Law. Thus there had been no need for an extra, purpose-built creation. Enter the huge central hall of the Royal Courts, then sit in many of the court rooms to hear civil cases. Criminal cases are heard in Old Bailey.
For 1000 years hideous Newgate Prison was the site where public executions were routinely held. First mentioned in King John's reign and then in the reign of Henry III, the King expressly commanded the sheriffs of London to repair it. When Newgate Prison was demolished, Old Bailey was erected immediately, complete with the bronze Goddess of Justice on the dome. Altogether there are 18 courts in the Central Criminal Court complex.
Old Bailey
Chancery Lane, between High Holborn and Fleet Streets, was where lawyers bought their books, were outfitted for court and drank wine. The pub opposite the Royal Courts of Justice was once a coffee house for young lawyers.
Then the Public Record Office, the nation's archives of official records, once housed in the Tower of London. It holds important national material: official documents, diplomatic correspondence and central governmental decisions. The Public Record Office looks like a Tudor fortress but it is actually quite modern (1850s). Only postgraduate students and researchers can get access to this building. But the Public Record Office Museum is open to all.
See Rumpole of the Bailey which was filmed in the Inns.
The Utter Barristers were practitioners who used their chambers as law offices, and who taught younger members of the Inns. Students also attended courts at Parliament, and participated in moots/mock trials and debates. Judges and senior practitioners formed a governing body for each Inn of Court, and were called the benchers. Readers lectured during the intervals between legal terms.
Students began as Inner Barristers. After 7 years, they could be confirmed as an Utter Barrister, qualified member of the Bar. Only then could they be admitted to a set of chambers. Senior barristers who become King’s or Queen's Counsels “took silk” gowns.
Today the Inns still have the exclusive right to admit barristers to the profession. Even now almost all chambers are still in the Inns of Court. But note that modern students no longer have to sleep in the Inns.
The majority of gentlemen who attended the Inns did not go on in a legal career. By the late C16th, only 15% of students pursued studies long enough to be admitted to the bar. For the rest, the Inns served as a sort of finishing school, enjoy London’s opportunities with peers and learn law.
Middle and Inner Temple Inns, geographically and historically so close, are collectively known as The Temple. The red brick gate way, which has been attributed to Wren 1685, leads into Middle Temple Lane. Middle Temple (1560s) survives with one of the best Elizabethan interiors in London. The hall’s interior is spanned by a double hammer beam roof, officially opened by Queen Elizabeth I. And she donated a gift of the 30' long high table made from a single oak. Note the spectacular carved oak Armada screen, from the wood of a captured Spanish galleon. The loveliest parts of Middle Temple are the library, dining hall and chapel.
In Inner Temple, the library is huge. In addition to the English legal material, Inner Temple holds a specialist collection of Commonwealth countries’ legal materials. The collection includes British history, Literature, Genealogy and Heraldry. Inner Temple hall is perfect for legal or public banqueting.
Early Elizabethan drama owed much to the performance of plays in these halls at festive seasons. The first English tragedy was written by two members of the Inn in 1561, and performed in the Inner Temple Hall. The first regular English comedy was first acted in Gray's Inn Hall, 5 years later. Comedy of Errors was performed in Gray's Inn Hall in 1594, between dancing and revelry. It was for a Christmas revel at the Middle Temple that Shakespeare wrote Twelfth Night 1601 which the bard himself performed. Shakespeare made mention of the Temple in Henry VI, where he says that the white [York] and red roses [Lancaster], used as badges in the War of the Roses, were plucked in Middle Temple Gardens.
The two Inns share the round Temple Church off Fleet Street. Built to the Templar pattern in 1160, it copied the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem. It had a round nave, oblong choir and piers of black polished marble, Norman west door, priests' hall and cloister. There are 9 marble Associates monuments, in full knightly gear.
The grandest Inn, Gray's Inn in Holborn High St was founded only 25 years later (1371). Gray’s has a small but lovely hall, and a handsome cupola. Gray’s has a lovely C17th gateway and its library has one of the most complete law books collections. Their amazing Spanish Armada carved screen came from Elizabeth I’s Lord High Admiral!
Although the Law Society is based in Gray's Inn, the costs for running this organisation are provided by all four inns collectively. The Law Society's main responsibilities are: education of barristers, scholarships, chambers and publication of professional literature.
The most recent of the Inns, Lincoln's Inn Chancery Lane, was first mentioned in 1422 documents and named after the Earl of Lincoln. Note the Tudor gatehouse (1518) and the chapel attributed to Inigo Jones. The original Old Hall was extended twice.
Lincoln's Inn Fields were laid out in 1618 by Inigo Jones. It was the largest square in London, and the most fashionable. In 1640s it was agreed that smart houses could be built around the square, but that the greenery would never be ruined. It all feels rural!
The neo-Gothic Royal Courts of Justice in Fleet St is modern (1874-82) because, till then, Westminster Palace Hall served as the King's Courts of Law. Thus there had been no need for an extra, purpose-built creation. Enter the huge central hall of the Royal Courts, then sit in many of the court rooms to hear civil cases. Criminal cases are heard in Old Bailey.
For 1000 years hideous Newgate Prison was the site where public executions were routinely held. First mentioned in King John's reign and then in the reign of Henry III, the King expressly commanded the sheriffs of London to repair it. When Newgate Prison was demolished, Old Bailey was erected immediately, complete with the bronze Goddess of Justice on the dome. Altogether there are 18 courts in the Central Criminal Court complex.
Chancery Lane, between High Holborn and Fleet Streets, was where lawyers bought their books, were outfitted for court and drank wine. The pub opposite the Royal Courts of Justice was once a coffee house for young lawyers.
Then the Public Record Office, the nation's archives of official records, once housed in the Tower of London. It holds important national material: official documents, diplomatic correspondence and central governmental decisions. The Public Record Office looks like a Tudor fortress but it is actually quite modern (1850s). Only postgraduate students and researchers can get access to this building. But the Public Record Office Museum is open to all.
See Rumpole of the Bailey which was filmed in the Inns.
18 comments:
I saw every episode of Rumpole and learned two things
1) older men of learning must be able to quote classical literature at will and 2) the wife is always She who must be obeyed!
I can only imagine the sheer pleasure I would derive from just sitting in that library!
Hello Hels, I have read about bits and facets of Britain's legal system in various books. Thanks for giving a larger picture and filling in many details, although I'm not sure if I'll ever have an intuitive understanding of its intricacies. While being aware of the age of these inns, I had never thought of them as architectural spaces--another object for my next trip to London--to see what parts are available for public viewing or tours.
--Jim
Hi Hels ... you've given us a very good historical overview of the Inns of Court area and how barristers got their training - especially the back story. It's a lovely area of town and the Temple Church is another delightful interior ... lots to see and to comprehend ... thanks for giving us this outline. Cheers Hilary
I assumed Rumpole was filmed with sets. Ah well, too early for Pomeroy's claret. Horace would be very approving of your post.
I love the gardens of The temple. I just love walking around there its scale is so human and the thought of all those people who have been there before and the topics they were discussing . Its one of favourite parts of London.
Its also interesting that a legal training was a desirable one fro a gentleman to pursue before he went back to his estates or into parliament . Nothing much has changed has it ?
Joseph
me too :) But I always assumed that barristers were upper class snobs, immaculately groomed and belonged to exclusive gentlemen's clubs. Hilda Rumpole, Claude and Phyllida Erskine-Brown were very upper class, but Horace Rumpole was definitely not.
David,
the library in Inner Temple is gorgeous, as are the others in the Inns. I believe that even if the facilities in private homes, universities and chambers are ordinary, the library has to be an inviting site for breathing, learning and absorbing the natural light.
My granddaughter read this blog post and asked "Why did they need a library? Why didn't they just go on line?"
Parnassus
I presume by Britain's legal system you means the structures and processes, not the contents of legislation and common law - who creates legislation, who creates common law, the various levels of courts, the difference between solicitors and barristers, state Vs federal courts etc. Because Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Canada etc were British colonies, I imagine we all share the same legal structures and processes, even if our legislation and common law have changed since Federation.
Hilary
it is indeed a beautiful part of town, the architecture of the Inns and church, the gorgeous gardens and all the associated legal facilities. Not crowded and noisy like other parts of London.
Andrew
both the Central Criminal Court in Newgate St, and the Royal Courts of Justice, are open to the public and you will immediately recognise the architecture and decoration from the Rumpole films. Rumpole's pretend chambers, Equity Court, were filmed in Inner Temple.
mem
barristers had to have space for private thinking, quiet reading of the law, being briefed by solicitors - all away from the hubbub of chambers, phones, fax machines and yelling clerks. That the gardens were always, and are still in the centre of a huge, over-populated city is truly a blessing.
mem
since it took endless years to train as a barrister with no salary to talk about, the young men could only come from families wealthy enough to totally support their sons until 25. If the family had to support other adult children, or if the would-be barrister son couldn't survive the long haul long enough to be admitted to the bar, it is inevitable that other careers sounded far more attractive and financially stable.
Sorry I'm late to this! I have just got back from a week in Knokke, Belgium and only just seen it.
I often lead my Sunday morning walking group to the Inns of Court so much of this post resonates with me. You could have got ten posts out of all the history they contain. My daughter Ruth is a practice manager in Kings Bench Walk, Inner Temple. I love going to meet her for lunch.
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bazza
it is always important to place our children in careers that assist us with history, music, literature and travel :) My son has a cultural travel agency in Tel Aviv that links Egypt, Israel and Jordan. It has been brilliant for us, plus for every other traveller we know :)
But if I was still living in the UK, I would love to have your daughter's connections for Inner Temple. The architecture, landscaping and history make the area one of the most fascinating sites anywhere.
Decent post,thanks for sharing such thought and tips.This blog is helpful for those individuals. to help disputing parties come to an agreement.
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Josephgiretqc
I have been fascinated with Britain's legal system, partially because we in colonial Australia inherited the British system pretty much intact. Things have changed since Federation of course, but the Inns of Court are still mesmerising for historians.
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