Plaque

St Mary Somerset - Weavers

Inscription

From 1370 onwards, during the reign of Edward III, the site of St Mary's Somerset was the meeting place of the weavers of Brabant for the hiring of serving men.

Wikipedia explains: "According to John Stow, in 1370, the Brabant weaver community was ordered by the Mayor to meet in the churchyard of St Mary Somerset for the purpose of hiring serving men, following disputes with the Flemish weavers. The latter were ordered to meet a safe distance away in the churchyard of St Laurence Pountney."

Site: St Mary Somerset Church (4 memorials)

EC4, Lambeth Hill, St Mary's Somerset Church

The wall plaque, for the tower, is on the south side. The other three are in the paved area around the tower, on three sides. 2013: The north side has been a builders' store area for at least 3 years so we can't see the ground but we don't think there is a fourth plaque there.

A modern information board informs: "This garden covers the site of St Mary's Somerset which may have derived its name in the twelfth century from one Ralph de Somery. In 1666 the church was damaged in the Great Fire of London and then rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren in 1695. In 1869-74 all but the church's 120 foot tower was demolished under the Union of Benefices Act."

As the population of the City reduced fewer churches were found necessary. Under the Union of Benefices Act over 20 churches in the City were demolished to make way for constructions such as railway stations.

We love the riot of finials and pinnacles on the top of the tower.

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:
St Mary Somerset - Weavers

Subjects commemorated i

St Mary Somerset church

First recorded in the 12th century. Destroyed in the Great Fire it was rebuil...

Read More

Brabant weavers

The Brabant describes a part of the low countries to the east of Flanders.  W...

Read More

This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
St Mary Somerset - Weavers

Also at this site i

St Mary Somerset  - Ewan Christian

St Mary Somerset - Ewan Christian

The dates given on the plaque are about the time that the church ceased funct...

Read More

St Mary Somerset - tower

St Mary Somerset - tower

What was in the air in the fifties that made plaque carvers so inventive with...

Read More

St Mary Somerset  - Wren

St Mary Somerset - Wren

The church and tower were redesigned and rebuilt under the direction of Sir C...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Margot Fonteyn & J. du Pre

Margot Fonteyn & J. du Pre

SW7, Rutland Gardens Mews, 2

Lisa O'Brien has pointed out that the plaque-makers got 'assoluta' wrong.

2 subjects commemorated
William Wilberforce - SW1

William Wilberforce - SW1

SW1, Cadogan Place, 44

William Wilberforce, 1759 - 1833, opponent of slavery, died here. London County Council

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Victoria's Golden Jubilee - Tower Bridge

Victoria's Golden Jubilee - Tower Bridge

E1, Riverside walk

Although it doesn't specifically say, this is the foundation stone for Tower Bridge.

8 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Symons

Symons

NW1, Camden Square, 62

Here from 1868 to 1900 lived George James Symons FRS, pioneer in the scientific study of rainfall, founder of the British Rainfall Organi...

1 subject commemorated
Jubilee Market Hall - opened

Jubilee Market Hall - opened

WC2, Southampton Street, Jubilee Market Hall

In our picture the Jubilee Market Traders plaque can be seen on the back wall of the arcade.  In front of it, the Queen's stone plaque is...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator

Previously viewed

John Belcher

John Belcher

Belcher was born at 3 Montague Terrace (now 8 Brockham Street, SE1). His father, also John, was an architect and Jnr. was made a partner in 1845. The firm was known as J. & J. Belcher. Snr. ret...

Person, Architecture

1 memorial
Embassy of the Republic of Poland

Embassy of the Republic of Poland

Located at 47 Portland Place.

Group, Architecture, Poland

3 memorials
Sir William Nicholson

Sir William Nicholson

Artist. Born William Newzam Prior Nicholson in Nottinghamshire. Worked in many fields of art: painter of still-lifes, landscapes and portraits; wood-engraver; illustrator; and designer for the thea...

Person, Art

1 memorial
J. W. Otton, DCM

J. W. Otton, DCM

Employed at the Holloway bus/tram garage - Pemberton Gardens. Served and was killed in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1
1 memorial