Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/613

Rh well adapted for the preservation of theatrical properties, since there is a charge in the accounts for “ayringe,” represented to be necessary in order “to keepe the same in redynes for service wch els wold be mowldy mustie motheten and rotten by meanes of the dankenes of the howse and want of convenyent Presses and places requysite.”

By letters patent dated May 9, 1607, “the scite or house of the late Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, etc., having therein one great mansion and one great chapel, etc., containing by estimation five acres,” was granted by James I. to Ralph Freeman and his heirs, “in free and common soccage.” It subsequently came into the possession of William Cecil Lord Burleigh and earl of Exeter, whose countess, says Fuller, “was very forward to repair the ruined choir.” The church then became a private chapel, and as such passed into the hands of the earl of Elgin, on his marriage with Diana, the daughter of the earl of Exeter. Fuller thus describes it in 1655:—“At this day, though contracted, having the side aisles excluded (yet so that the upper part is admitted affording conveniences for attention), it is one of the best private chapels in England, discreetly embracing the mean of decency betwixt the extremes of slovenly profaneness and gaudy superstition.” It was much injured in 1710 by a mob led on by Dr. Sacheverell. In 1716 it was advertised for sale “as fit as any for a schoolroom that will hold above 200 scholars.” It was purchased in 1721 by a Mr. Mitchell, who once more restored it, and then sold it for £3,000 to the commissioners for providing new churches in and about London. It was consecrated on December 27th, 1723, by the bishop of London, as the church of St. John, Clerkenwell. When it was being repaired in 1845 many traces of the old building were discovered. Upon removing the plaster from the east wall it was found that Docwra’s masonry still existed up to about the middle of the window, about 27 feet in height, all above that being rebuilt in brick by Mitchell. It was also found, in the south aisle, that Mitchell had used portions of the old church to support the pews, such as ribbed mouldings, parts of shafts, portions of the groining capitals of clustered columns coloured and gilt.

The priory itself has long since vanished, to make way for