The Royal Exchange

By Cassidy Young

The Royal Exchange sits right at the end of Cheapside, at the beginning of Cornhill. De  Saussure said that the building was very impressive, "built in modern style of the beautiful Portland stone" (p. 79). He also remarked that the architecture was very fine, and spoke in great detail of the many statues that were inside of and in front of the Royal Exchange. 

Guildhall

By Yusra Bourara

Guildhall is a building located in the city of London that has been used as a town hall for many years and still serves as the administrative centre for the city of London. It is located off the streets of Basinghall and Gresham. The name “Guildhall” refers to the whole building along with its main room, also known as the medieval great hall.

St. Mary-le-bow Church

By Cassidy Young

The St. Mary-le-Bow Church is a building in Cheapside with a beautiful interior. While its facade doesn't appear as stunning, the inside is very impressive. 

De Saussure says that "the church of St. Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside is one of the finest in London, and has the most remarkable peal of bells in England" (p. 78).  He obviously thought very highly of the church, considering he spared it compliments even after he had just seen the gorgeous St. Paul's cathedral. 

St. Paul's Cathedral

By Krista Walrath

St. Paul’s Cathedral is located at the top of Ludgate Hill. De Saussure says the building “is the most truly magnificent of all of London and England” (p. 75). The medieval version of the church was destroyed during the Great Fire of 1666. This new Cathedral was finally finished in 1697 after 50 years of building and £101,300 in materials and labor. Shaped like a cross, St. Paul’s is 700 feet long and 150 feet wide. 

Ludgate

By Krista Walrath                                

Ludgate was situated on Ludgate Street which, according to De Saussure, was “not a long street, but a wide and handsome one” (p. 74). The gate was named after King Lud who was said to have been the founder of London.

Fleet River & Fleet Ditch

By Tristin Turner

The River Fleet and its ditch, today covered up and underground, were utilized to serve officially as a canal but, in truth, became a convenient site to deposit waste. Fleet Ditch, as stated by De Saussure, was "a sort of canal, where big barges come up with the help of the tide" (73). The ditch was located at the end of Fleet Street, which was about a mile in length and regarded as one of the finest streets in Europe.

Gray's Inn

By Tristin Turner and Cooper Sarafin

In the same fashion as the other inns, Gray's Inn was an institution that must be attended by any person wishing to be a practicing barrister or judge. It is found at the intersection of Gray's Inn Road and High Holborn in Central London. Even though there was a tradition claiming that none of the inns of court are older than the others, it is recorded that law administrators established their workplace at the site of Gray's Inn around the late 14th century.

Temple Bar

By Abbey Wells

The Temple Bar was a gate that acted as the ceremonial entrance to the City of London. Originally, the purpose of the gate was to regulate trade. The Temple Bar was located between the Strand and Fleet Street. César de Saussure described the gate as having “four statues in niches”. Merchants would set up stalls near the gate. Additionally, the monarchs would use the gate when entering the City of London.