13 - Temple Church, Inns of Court, London (mid-to-late 1100s)

And what can I possibly say about this next one?  One of the most significant medieval landmarks in England is Temple Church in London, the original part of which was finished by 1185. It’s located at the Inns of Court in London. This was built for the Knights Templar, and its surrounding complex is central to British legal history. 

But I can’t even begin to elaborate the rich history of this famous landmark all here in this blog. There's too much for me to explain here. Just research it and you will see! But this place is quite marvelous.

Yes, it too was badly scorched during the Blitz. Here how the church appeared in a post-war image: looking somewhat of a shell. 

Fortunately, enough of the structure and and even its contents survived to allow for a rich restoration.  There is no point in me trying to duplicate any of the gazillions of much better photos, but I can't help but share a few snapshots for this blog:

That doorway.

Inside the church is stunning. Lying on the floor in an area are carved stone effigies of English knights from back-in-the-day. Here is the Wikipedia link to the bio of of the knights, who is also buried at the church, laying there in effigy: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Marshal,_1st_Earl_of_Pembroke

Please note that if you want to see this place on a visit to London, you need to check opening hours and plan to go only during the day. It costs some pounds to get in, but it is worth it. After-hours access to the neighborhood around Inns of Court 
is restricted.  Here is the church website: 

 http://www.templechurch.com/

12 – St. Etheldreda’s Church, City of London (late 1200s)

St. Etheldreda’s Church is the "oldest Catholic church in England and one of only two remaining buildings in London from the reign of Edward I”, according to the church website. 

It was built between 1250 and 1290 and was at one time part of an expansive palace grounds. I read that it, remarkably, avoided much damage (if at all) from the Fire of 1666 and the Blitz.

Today, it is a beautiful but very small structure that looks like it's been wedged in amongst some later commercial and other buildings. Behind this church is the famous old Hatton Garden jewelry district of London; I would say this medieval structure is the biggest diamond of them all.  

That door and that window!

Check out the church’s website at:

http://www.stetheldreda.com/index.php/history-of-st-etheldredas/

11 -- St. Bartholomew the Great, City of London (early-mid 1100s)

This next church is a walking distance from St. Giles-Cripplegate. 

The website of the Priory Church of St. Bartholomew the Great boasts about being “London’s oldest surviving church”.  It was built beginning in 1123 and, according to the church website, has been "in continuous use since 1143”. 

This structure has a distinctive design. This is not “gothic” with many ornate spires and gargoyles such, and it’s not “Romanesque” with arches and boxy spires.  Rather, this one has square and solid lines to it, and a carefully laid out ornamentation including inlaid tiles in its siding.  From the mid-1100s?

It’s defined in at least one source as “Norman” architecture. Britannica.com has a good synopsis of what is meant by “Norman”: 

http://www.britannica.com/art/Norman-style

And, of course, when you research the Normans, you can see this is a pretty cool piece of history.

This tower shows that at different times differently shaped wings or annexes were connected.

You can go into the small garden-sitting area and it feels peaceful (despite the surrounding city noise).   An old photograph from the mid-1800s is on the wall of a nearby restaurant showing a bunch of properly dressed elderly men and women in the church ground (they looked like they were from Gone With The Wind).  The photo’s accompanying caption said they were following a long tradition of throwing coins on top of a grave.  

Here is what the front of it looks like at night: