Plaque

Sir John Gurney

Erection date: 1827

Inscription

Hujusce.aedis.sacrae.
Partem.australem.sibi.propriam.
Restitui.curavit.
Interioris.templi.Hospitium.
Johanne.Gurney.armigero.
Thesaurario.
MDCCCXXVII.

{Translates as:}
To John Gurney, bearer of Arms, Treasurer, He restored and conserved the south part, which is his own, of the Inn of the Inner Temple. 1827.

{or:}
Of this holy church before you, the Inn of the Inner Temple took responsibility for restoring the south section reserved for it when (or perhaps under the supervision of) John Gurney was its Bearer of Arms and Treasurer in the year 1827.

We are indebted to Rosemary Jeffreys for the translation from the Latin. The business about "the south part being his own" is partly explained at Inner Temple Library where we found this:
Members of the Inner Temple traditionally sit on the south side of the Church, the southern half being assigned to the Inn under the 1732 deed of partition. The custom was relied on by the Inn in former times as indicating its precedence over the Middle Temple: a disputed claim which has long ceased to possess any significance. It also explains the inscriptions on the outside and inside of the Round, which record the restoration of the south side by the Inner Temple in 1827, when John Gurney was Treasurer.

2015: Via Facebook Paul Perrot proposed the second of our translations and raised some good questions all requiring further research: the extent of John Gurney’s involvement and oversight; did he simply pay the bill? ; when was this inscription written?

Site: Sir John Gurney (1 memorial)

EC4, Church Court

Credit for this entry to: Rosemary Jeffreys

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Sir John Gurney

Subjects commemorated i

Sir John Gurney

Judge. Chief Baron of the Exchequer. Born London. Married Maria Hawes (1767-1...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Juno House

Juno House

E2, Old Bethnal Green Road, Juno House

The oval plaque on the buildings reads: "Juno House - this block was built in 2005 by THCH and named after Juno from Roman mythology. She...

1 subject commemorated, 3 creators
Thames Tunnel - Rotherhithe

Thames Tunnel - Rotherhithe

SE16, Brunel Road, Rotherhithe Station

The plaque is at the bottom of the escalators and stairs.

3 subjects commemorated, 3 creators
Rose Theatre

Rose Theatre

SE1, Park Street

Unveiled by Sir Ian.

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Waterloo Bridge

Waterloo Bridge

WC2, Waterloo Bridge

In our photo you can see how distressed the lettering is, and that it was once picked out in gold paint.

8 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
Sir George Williams

Sir George Williams

WC1, Russell Square

In the photograph of the current building the plaque is behind the portico.

2 subjects commemorated

Previously viewed

Orwell - Islington - removed

Orwell - Islington - removed

N1, Canonbury Square, 27b

May 2016: The Islington Tribute reports that the plaque has been replaced, 27 May, with one giving the correct date of habitation (1944-7...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Salvation Army

Salvation Army

A Protestant church internationally renowned for its charitable works. Founded as the "East London Christian Mission" or "Christian Revival Society" by William and Catherine Booth. Initially its me...

Group, Religion, Social Welfare

12 memorials
David Bowie - Former Trident Studios

David Bowie - Former Trident Studios

W1, St Anne's Court, 17

David Bowie, 1947 - 2016. His albums Hunky Dory and The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the iconic Space Oddity were recorded here ...

5 subjects commemorated, 3 creators
Dame Joan Plowright, CBE

Dame Joan Plowright, CBE

Actor. Born Lincolnshire. Married Laurence Olivier in 1961 and survived as his widow in 1989. Died Northwood, London.

Person, Cinema, Theatre

1 memorial
Hugh Myddelton - N21

Hugh Myddelton - N21

N21, Bush Hill Road

This plaque is placed at the junction with Cunard Crescent in a new housing estate, this entrance being Halliwick Gate. Bush Hill House...

3 subjects commemorated, 1 creator