The gateway, c. 1905. |
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As far as is known, this was always the entrance
to the Inn, leading from Fleet Street directly towards the central
buildings of the early medieval Temple. A new gateway was built
in 1610, when the house over it (No. 17, Fleet Street) was rebuilt
by John Bennett, serjeant at arms. It was apparently rebuilt or
renovated in 1748, since this date occurs with the initials T|CT,
for Christopher Theed, Treasurer in that year; there is a pegasus
carved on either side of the arch. The principal chamber above the
archway has contemporary panelling, and the plaster ceiling is decorated
with the Prince of Wales' feathers and the initials PH; it was reputed
to have been the council chamber of Henry, Prince of Wales (d. 1612),
and of Prince Charles (later King Charles I). The whole building
was moved back, in order to widen Fleet Street, in 1905; on the
inside of the archway are Edwardian carvings of pegasus and the
initials T|HMB|1905, for Henry Mason Bompas. The house does not
belong to the Inn.
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