The Charterhouse: A Historic London Legacy from Plague Pit to Almshouse

Origins in Tragedy and Faith

The Charterhouse’s story begins in 1348 amid the devastation of the Black Death, when Sir Walter Manny leased land now known as Charterhouse Square as an emergency burial site for plague victims. It is estimated that up to 10,000 bodies were interred here, making it one of London’s largest mass graves. Following this grim period, the Bishop of London, inspired by the Carthusian monastery he had seen in Paris, founded the London Charterhouse in 1371 as a place of austere monastic life, dedicated to silence, prayer, and solitude.

Religious Turmoil and Tudor Transformation

The monastery flourished until the English Reformation under Henry VIII. The monks’ refusal to accept the King as head of the Church led to their persecution and execution between 1535 and 1537, and the dissolution of the Charterhouse. The site was confiscated by the Crown and repurposed as storage, including for royal hunting equipment. In 1545, Sir Edward North acquired the property and transformed it into a grand Tudor mansion, complete with a Great Hall and Great Chamber. The mansion hosted notable figures, including Queen Elizabeth I, who used it during her coronation preparations.

The Birth of a Charity and Almshouse

In 1611, Thomas Sutton, reputedly the wealthiest commoner in England, purchased the Charterhouse and established it as a charitable foundation. His vision created an almshouse for elderly men and a school for boys, a pioneering philanthropic institution that endures today. The Charterhouse became one of Europe’s wealthiest charities, governed by a board of governors who oversaw its operations and expansions.

War, Restoration, and Preservation

The Second World War brought significant damage to the Charterhouse during the Blitz, including destruction of the Great Hall and other historic interiors. The site was also used for wartime efforts, with air raid shelters and vegetable gardens. Post-war restoration led by architects John Seely and Paul Paget from 1945 to 1959 carefully conserved and restored the buildings, revealing hidden medieval and Tudor features. Archaeological excavations during this period uncovered important finds such as the grave of Sir Walter Manny.

Architectural and Cultural Context

Charterhouse Square itself is a microcosm of London’s architectural history, surrounded by buildings from medieval to modern times. Nearby Florin Court, an Art Deco residential building, contrasts with the historic Tudor and medieval structures of the Charterhouse. The square’s evolution from plague pit to residential and commercial area reflects London’s broader urban development. The Charterhouse remains a significant heritage site, blending its monastic, Tudor, and charitable past with contemporary cultural uses.

Visitor Experience and Legacy

Today, visitors to the Charterhouse can explore its free museum, historic chapel with original medieval stonework and stained glass, and participate in guided tours often led by almshouse residents. The site’s layered history—from plague burial ground to monastic retreat, Tudor mansion, school, and almshouse—offers a unique window into London’s social, religious, and architectural evolution over centuries. Its continued function as an almshouse preserves its founding charitable mission, connecting past and present in a living heritage site.