SAVOY CHURCHYARD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 24 April 1937, Page 4

SAVOY CHURCHYARD

INTERESTING ASSOCIATIONS Down Savoy street, just off the Strand, London ( is the Savoy churchyard. It is full of interesting associations. When Henry 111 married a Savoy Princess, her relations came over to make their fortunes. Two of her uncles did well. Boniface was made Archbishop of Canterbury and Peter had the gift of a piece of land reaching from what is now the Savoy-Hotel to beyond Waterloo Bridge. Here he built himself a fine house with extensive gardens. This passed in course of time to the family of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and was destroyed by the rebels under Wat Tyler. Chaucer was probably a resident during the duke’s time. The ground lay derelict for years afterwards until Henry VII took’ the plot of ground and built the hospital of St. John the Baptist, and left it money in his will. Edward VI put an end to the hospital. Mary restored it again, and Elizabeth finally left it in ruins. It is memorable because it was here that was held the conference which dre>v up the Prayer Book as we have it to-day. The church dates from Henry Vll’s time, and was the chapel of the hospital. It was destroyed by the fire in 18.60 and restored by Queen Victoria as Duchess of Lancaster. \