Place   

Wellclose Square, E1

Categories: Architecture

Wellclose Square, E1

Picture source: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

This down at heel backwater to the east of the Tower of London, has an unexpectedly rich history. The area around it was generally known as Wellclose and in 1686 it became part of the Liberty of the Tower. It was mentioned by Daniel Defoe as having a well in the centre. A Danish church designed by Caius Gabriel Cibber was built here in 1696. In 1787 a theatre called the Royalty was erected. This burned down in 1828 and was replaced by the Royal Brunswick Theatre which collapsed shortly after opening. Spitalfields Life has some wonderful images.

The Neptune Street prison, also known as 'The Sly House' also occupied the site. See Spitalfields Life for some grafitti from a debtors' cell here. The now threatened Wilton's Music Hall, built in 1858, stands in Grace's Alley just off the square. Currently there are two schools here, the Shapla and St Paul's Whitechapel (pictured right), which unusually has a spire.

This post from Spitalfields Life has many photos and drawings of the Square.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Wellclose Square, E1

Commemorated ati

Norwegian Embassy

{On a metal plaque below the left hand relief:} In 1796 these two Coade stone...

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Other Subjects

A. J. Phelps

A. J. Phelps

Architect associated with Surbiton. Also built  the 1871 Church of St John, Grove Lane, Kingston upon Thames.

Person, Architecture

1 memorial
Frank Meisler

Frank Meisler

Architect and sculptor. Born Danzig. Arrived in England via the Kindertransport. Active in 2006. Art Forum obit. Born in what was then Danzig and is now Gdansk, Poland. Meisler was himself one of t...

Person, Architecture, Sculpture, Germany, Israel/Palestine, Poland

1 memorial
Henry Wilson (art)

Henry Wilson (art)

Architect, jeweler and designer. A leading figure in the British Arts & Crafts movement. Born near Liverpool. Trained with and worked in John Sedding's practice. Taught at the Central School o...

Person, Architecture, Craft / Design

1 memorial
Frank Theobalds

Frank Theobalds

Clerk of Works during the building of the Stanley Halls, and subsequently resident Secretary and Manager.

Person, Architecture, Theatre

1 memorial