Hidden Treasure

Popped into the St Stephen's cloisters by Westminster Hall today, which were half destroyed by the fire in 1834 (then again by the Blitz) but half survive.  They were built just over a decade before the dissolution of the monasteries, so weren't used as intended for very long.   They are marvellous, and an incredible survival right in the middle of London.

In the last few days I have transcribed the letters of the Rickman family who were living on site at the time of the fire, which are fantastic eyewitness accounts, with some hilarious moments in them.  Mr Rickman gave each of his servants 1lb of sugar for their good services on the night of the fire, preventing looters from breaking into their house during the firefighting.