Tower in the Thames

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Friars Preachers

In the civil parish of City Of London. In the historic county of London, City of (Modern Authority of London, City of, 1974 county of Greater London).

One other Tower there was also situate on the riuer of Thames neare vnto the said Blacke Fryers Church, on the west parte thereof builded at the Citizens charges, but by licence and commaundement of Edward the I. and of Edward the 2. as appeareth by their grantes: which Tower was then finished, and so stood for the space of 300. yeares, and was at the last taken down by the commaundement of Iohn Sha Mayor of London, in the yeare 1502. (Stow)
This Tower was large and magnificent, and such as was fit for the Reception of a King; and where King Edward I. intended sometime at his Pleasure to lye. It was not finished in the Beginning of his Reign. But gave Order for the finishing of it to the Maior, Sheriffs, and Citizens, out of the Three Years Toll he had granted them to take upon Commodities brought to the City to be sold, for the Reparation of the Walls; and particularly for finishing the Wall begun near the Black Friars, not far from which at the Thames, stood this Tower. And that we may see what it was, and what Opinion that King had of this Tower, and concerning the Situation, let us read his Letter to the City.
"Whereas we have granted you for Aid of the Work of the Walls of our City, and the Closure of the same, divers Customs of vendible Things, coming to the said City, to be taken for a certain Time, We command you, that you cause to be finished the Wall of the said City, now begun near the Mansion of the Friars Preachers, and a certain good and comely Tower at the Head of the said Wall within the Water of Thames there. Wherein We may be received and tarry with Honour, to our Ease and Satisfaction in our Comings there; out of the Pence taken, and to be taken of the said Customs, &c. Witness my self at Westminster, the 8th Day of July, An. 4. Which fell about 1276." [Lib.Horn.Fol.183] (Stype)
Sept. 15 [1312] Grant, for one year, in enlargement of former grant, date 18 July, 4 Edward II., to the mayor, sheriffs and citizens or London, of murage upon all wares brought for sale into the city; they are to apply the money accruing therefrom to the construction of a tower next the dwelling-house of the Friars Preachers at Baynard Castle upon the bank of the Thames. During that term they are not to levy pontage upon goods passing over or under the bridge. By K., on the information of Edmund de Malo Lacu. (CPR p495-6)
In 1315 this murage was to be used for one year for the repair of Newgate (the gate and the jail). The murage was repeated in 1317 as the tower was 'lately begun and not yet finished'.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is TQ316808

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

Further information may be available from the holder of the county Historic Environment Record. In particular 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website, or elsewhere.

• Primary (Medieval documents or transcriptions of such documents - This section is far from complete and the secondary sources should be consulted for full references.)
  • Calendar of Patent Rolls (1307-1313) p495-6 [murage grant]
    Calendar of Patent Rolls (1313-1317) p270 [mention in murage grant]
    Calendar of Patent Rolls (1313-1317) p654 [murage grant]
    Calendar of Patent Rolls (1338-1340) p6 [Grant of tower to William de Ros of Hamelak]
• Antiquarian (Histories and accounts from late medieval and early modern writers)
  • Stype, John, 1720, A Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster Vol1 p62 http://www.hrionline.ac.uk/strype/TransformServlet?page=book1_062&display=normal
    Kingsford, C.L. (ed), 1908, A Survey of London, by John Stow: Reprinted from the text of 1603 Vol1 p44-71 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=60021#s6