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This museum is located in a Tudor
gatehouse, which dates from 504, once the entrance to the
medieval priory of the Order of St John of Jerusalem.
The Knights Hospitaller under
the Order of St John were founded in the 12th century to care
for weary pilgrims and Crusaders. In 1140 the Order
was given land in Clerkenwell to establish a priory as its
English headquarters.
The Order flourished here for
over 400 years and was the start of the modern St John's Ambulance
Brigade which was formed in 1877. Over the years the
priory buildings have used for offices for Queen Elizabeth
I's Master of Revels, a public house, and even a coffee shop
run by William Hogarth's father. From 1731 - 1754 the
building housed the offices of Edward Cave's 'Gentlemen's
Magazine', and Dr Johnson, a contributor to the magazine,
worked here.
Today the building is the headquarters
of the British Order of St John.
The museum traces the history
of the Order from the days of the Knights Hospitaller to the
modern work of St John's Ambulance Brigade. On display
is a collection of books dating from 1425, arms and armour,
paintings, ceramics, Maltese silver and furniture. Other
exhibits include pharmacy jars, medical instruments and historic
First-Aid collections.
A new multi-media interactive
exhibition shows the work of St John's Ambulance Brigade.
The rest of the building can
be seen on guided tours, which includes the Chapter Hall,
Council Chamber, Old Chancery and the new church, as well
as the 12th century Crypt, the only remaining part of the
original building. The site of the priory's original
circular church is marked out in cobbles in St John's Square,
just north of the gate.
Admission free -
donations requested
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Farringdon