Susanna Wesley - Spital Yard | Look Up London

Susanna Wesley in Spital Yard

Just off Bishopsgate, the busy thoroughfare with towering new skyscrapers behind, glance down Spital Yard and you seem to have stumbled back in time.

Given a closer look, this Georgian townhouse isn’t quite as authentic as it might appear. However it still has plenty of interesting history behind it.

History of Spital Yard

St Mary Spital was a huge Augustinian priory in Spitalfields was established in the 12th century. Known as the hospital (think hostel and refuge rather than specific medical care) it was the hospital that gave Spitalfields its name.

The huge church site can be visualised on the Layers of London Tudor map (showing c.1520) and I’ve circled the rough site of Spital Yard today in yellow.

Image Credit: layersolondon.org – Tudor Map c.1520

In 1539 following the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII the church was demolished and its may buildings had been repurposed.

The house on Spital Yard has been given a new, brick, 20th century facade in the style of the surrounding c.1720s townhouses.

Whether any older building fabric survives is hard to judge. Dan Cruikshanks in Spitalfields describes it as ‘much-altered and mutilated’ but speculates that it could contain fragments of the south transept of the priory wall of St Mary Spital.

In any case it’s a City of London Corporation blue plaque that piqued my interest.

Susanna Annesley

More recognisable under her married name; Susanna Wesley. She would become known as the ‘Mother of Methodism’ thanks to her son; John Wesley.

However, she was an equally formidable and accomplished woman in her own right. Born in 1669, she was the youngest of 25(!) children. Her father was a Dissenter but she left his non-conformist church and married the Anglican minister Samuel Wesley aged 19 in 1688.

Image Credit: Public Domain

In total the pair would have 19 children but tragically only 11 survived beyond infancy. Her husband Samuel struggled financially throughout their life and left her periodically to manage the family and household. This she took in her stride, home educating all the children – including the girls – as well as finding time to write her own thoughts and commentaries on theological matters.

Her work ethic and intelligence clearly left a mark on the young John Wesley because at the age of six he couldn’t comprehend ever finding a woman to marry like his father had. It seems John was also a favourite because of his narrow escape from a house fire in 1709. Susanna must have believed God had a special intention for John and given the number of followers his movement attracted it seems she was right.

Susanna died in 1742 aged 73 and is buried in Bunhill Fields, a 12 minute walk from Spital Yard.

Susanna Wesley’s Grave – Image Credit: CC BY-SA 4.0 – Jwslubbock

Explore Spitalfields

I run two public tours in the Spitalfields area, the first is all about the changing social history an human stories; The Spirit of Spitalfields and the other is The Feminist Jack the Ripper Walk, a tour which brings the focus onto the women killed during 1888. We talk about their lives, the social context as well as other inspiring East End women past and present.

More London Inspiration

Get the latest London secrets to your email
See the city from a new angle, discovering little things you miss everyday and get the latest news about upcoming tours.
Once a week. No spam, just inspiration.
Your details will never be shared with any 3rd parties

Latest Blog Posts

  • Burney Street Benches | Look Up London

    Burney Street Benches

    Some unusual-looking benches on Burney Street in Greenwich lead to the history of an interesting charity......

  • History of Tenter Ground, Spitalfields | Look Up London

    History of Tenter Ground, Spitalfields

    This charming Spitalfields warehouse has a fascinating history, here's the story of Tenter Ground from industrial site to gallery......

  • Triforium Level, St Mary Le Strand | Look Up London

    Behind the Scenes at St Mary Le Strand

    If you’ve walked along the Strand recently, there’s been a wonderful improvement. The surrounding area of St Mary Le Strand has been pedestrianised and this 300 year-old church can be fully appreciated. I was recently invited to have a look inside (and go behind-the-scenes!) of......

  • Inside 4 Princelet Street | Look Up London

    Inside 4 Princelet Street

    It’s one of the most captivating (and photographed) facades in Spitalfields, but what lies behind 4 Princelet Street? I got a chance to look inside this 18th century terraced house thanks to a free exhibition of Christo’s ‘Early Works’, hosted by the Gagosian Gallery. (It’s......

  • History of St Michael and All Angels, Shoreditch | Look Up London

    History of St Michael and All Angels, Shoreditch

    Once one of the most magnificent Gothic revival churches in London, the Grade I listed St Michael and All Angels in Shoreditch is now set to become office space. It seems quite the juxtaposition, but there’s a lot more to the story… History of St......

  • Young V&A, Bethnal Green | Look Up London

    History of the Young V&A, Bethnal Green

    The Young V&A (formerly the Museum of Childhood) in Bethnal Green isn’t just a fabulous museum, its building also has a fascinating history to tell. Travelling back 350 years or so, Bethnal Green was a popular suburb for London’s upper classes. There were some large......

3 Comments

  • Ronald Lloyd

    Reply

    Oh Katie, what a lovely story about Susanna Wesley in Spital Yard. I do love stories about such places as Spitalfields, because I have visited it several times when I was in the Police Force. Always brings back memories. Thanks again for this story and the lovely pictures that tell a story on their own. All the best from Ron.

    August 24, 2022 at 6:32 pm
  • Michael Levy.

    Reply

    I think you have one of the most knowledgeable and interesting websites about London. So pleased to receive all this wonderful information.
    Be assured that I’ll be contacting you for several tours, when we come to London next year.
    Thank you.

    October 23, 2022 at 6:37 pm

Post a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

BOOK NOW