Clerkenwell took its name from the Clerks' Well in Farringdon Lane. In the Middle Ages, the London Parish clerks performed annual mystery plays there, based on biblical themes. Part of the well remains visible, incorporated into a 1980s building called Well Court.
1 Clerkenwell takes its name from The Clerks’ Well. Fairly logical. The well was located within the boundary walls of St Mary’s Nunnery, in and around what is now Clerkenwell Close, and was the scene of medieval biblical miracle plays performed by the clerks of the parish, recorded in a description of the city way back in 1174. After the nunnery was closed, the well was accessed through a pump at the eastern end of Ray Street(now Farringdon Lane). In 1800, the well was brought to pavement level to allow the public to use it, but closed around 50 years later. It was rediscovered in 1924, and is still visible through the window of 14-16 Farringdon Lane, a rather nondescript building called Clerks Court. The building next door is called – you’ve guessed it – Wells Court.
2 The Clerks’ Well, and many others, was supplied by the River Fleet which flowed through this area. The River Fleet originates at the ponds at Highgate and Hampstead. From there it flows down through Camden and Kings Cross and joins the Thames at Blackfriars. This abundant supply of water played a vital role in the formation and development of Clerkenwell. It was key to the establishment of religious foundations in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries which shaped economic activities and settlement patterns.
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