The Charterhouse

Beyond these weathered stones lies a tale of resilience, echoing from the bubonic plague of 1348. Right here, at The Charterhouse, the very ground beneath our feet once served as a mass grave for thousands of Londoners. Sir Walter Manny, a baron in the court of Edward III, leased this land as an emergency cemetery. He later established a chapel, offering prayers for the departed souls. From this somber beginning, The Charterhouse transformed. It became a Carthusian monastery in 1371, a place of quiet contemplation. The monks lived in individual cells, their world limited to prayer and devotion. Their solitary existence can still be glimpsed in the preserved monk’s cell within The Charterhouse. This tranquil existence was shattered during the reign of Henry VIII. The monks’ refusal to accept the Act of Supremacy led to their martyrdom. Their prior, John Houghton, was executed, his hand displayed on the gatehouse as a grim warning. The Charterhouse then became a grand Tudor mansion, hosting royalty and playing a role in historical intrigues. Elizabeth I met her Privy Council here before her coronation, while coded letters implicating the Duke of Norfolk in a plot against her were discovered within these very walls. In 1611, Thomas Sutton, a wealthy businessman, purchased The Charterhouse. He envisioned it as an almshouse for “poor Brothers” and a school for “poor boys.” The Charterhouse became a beacon of charity. His legacy endures today, with the almshouse still providing care for residents. The dog heads adorning the building are a nod to Sutton’s coat of arms, a symbol of his enduring presence. The Charterhouse also played a role in the development of football. The schoolboys played in the cloister, a long, narrow space that may have inspired the offside and throw-in rules. The story of The Charterhouse is etched not just in stone but also in char. A half-charred door stands as a testament to its resilience during the Blitz. It survived a direct hit in 1941, a testament to the enduring spirit of this remarkable place. From plague pit to monastery, mansion to almshouse, The Charterhouse’s story is one of remarkable transformation, a place where history whispers from every corner.