December 2008
Street features
Every Covent Garden Street has its own history, some more desirable than others.
Please select street below and meet some of Covent Garden’s characters over the years.
- Please choose a street from the below -
Great Queen Street
Long before Covent Garden Piazza was constructed there existed a royal thoroughfare along the present route of Great Queen Street. Offering convenient access between the city and the Royal borough, this pathway would have resounded with the spirited snort of the King’s steed. However, over time, it bore witness to a biblical prophecy come true: The meek shall inherit the earth.
The present name honours James I’s bride Anne of Denmark who had residence in Somerset House on the Strand (although she insisted it be renamed Denmark House). Anne was known as something of a meddlesome ratbag at court however, her life was tainted with much sadness; of her thirteen pregnancies she miscarried four times, endured two stillbirths and four offspring died in infancy. Of her surviving progeny, James’s heir, Henry Stuart perished from Typhoid at 18. The ‘Great Queen’ was only survived by Elizabeth (The Winter Queen) and her second son who reigned as Charles I.
This bridleway was made a street in the 1620s and was regarded as London’s first “regular street” (that is straight, uniform and of brickwork). The first tenants had an enviable view of the pastoral charm of North London. Before there was much construction in the area, Great Queen street was home to some very eminent personages a trend that continued for centuries. Over the years this street has been home to the artist Joshua Reynolds, biographer James Boswell, bonkers poet William Blake, Irish poet R. B. Sheridan, decorated general Sir Thomas Fairfax and the King’s court painter Godfrey Kneller. However Great Queen Street is almost synonymous with freemasonry and much of the story this street has to tell involves the square and compasses.
Great Queen Street has been the headquarters for the freemasons in England since 1717 at which time they would meet in various taverns and livery halls in the area. They inaugurated their first permanent Lodge at 61 Great Queen Street in 1776 which has been sporadically extended and rebuilt both to the east and west in the intervening years; the present Freemasons’ Hall was completed in 1933. Within, the building is majestic, heroic and bold, each room has its own centrepiece amongst an overall theme of art deco grandeur.
The grand temple has to be seen to be believed, it is a cavernous meeting hall 123 feet long, 90 feet wide and 62 feet high which can seat 1,700. The walls are sturdy marble with an intricate frieze depicting zodiacal imagery, this has no masonic significance, rather it is a nostalgic reference to the very first meeting places of The Freemasons.
The mosaicked ceiling is equally spectacular, the centre shows “A celestial canopy of diverse colours, even the Heavens” while each side illustrates a masonic allegory. The East (pictured) shows Jacob’s Ladder bearing symbolic references to Faith, Hope and Charity, three tenets which underpin the historic society of Freemasons through time and distance.
What’s in a name?
In 1882 (on a site which is now partly occupied by the law firm Blake Lapthorn Linnell) the Kingsway Theatre opened. There would follow eight changes of name in just 14 years; The Kingsway soon became known as The Novelty Theatre but this name too was not a success so in an attempt to coax the punters it was relaunched as Folies-Dramatiques. It then became The Jodrell, then back to The Kingsway then The New Queen’s Theatre followed by Eden Palace of Varieties. This name stuck for six years until it became Great Queen Street Theatre and two years later it was back to being The Kingsway. The theatre was ruined in the Blitz and finally demolished in 1956.
Freemasonry Today
Many of the great and the good in British society have been freemasons; from backgrounds as diverse as politics, religion, the arts and science these great men all have in common the moral and spiritual background which all freemasons hold in such esteem.
It is the nature of mankind to be curious about what goes on behind closed doors, this is a fascination which pervades time and culture. The common public perception of Freemasonry is one of funny handshakes and rolled-up trousers, but this interpretation is facile; while there are secret handshakes and phrases masons use to identify themselves, the primary purposes of freemasonry are a spirit of brotherhood, charitable benevolence and a life of moral correctness. Non-masons can recognise brothers of the craft by open symbolism. Masons may wear a black tie or display the square and compasses on a ring or cufflinks, one outward feature which the majority of freemasons share is an affable, earnest politeness.
There are three tiers of the brotherhood each with its own symbolism, imagery and password with these tiers comes status and moral safeguard: Entered apprentice, Fellow craft and Master Mason. Freemasonry is sometimes misinterpreted as creepy or unsavoury (an erroneous stereotype propagated largely through inaccurate satire) whereas in actuality freemasons conduct many charitable initiatives and are renowned as responsible, upstanding and altruistic members of the community. That many freemasons are in positions of authority and influence attests to the moral integrity and workmanlike diligence which the craft expects.
Great Queen Street Now
In accordance with history, much of Great Queen Street today is given over to Freemasonry and freemasons’ associated concerns. The tenets of the good life are upheld with keen vigour by many freemasons, this may help to explain the predominance of wining and dining establishments which are to be found here.
Freemasons’ Hall maintains an impressive and imposing presence on Great Queen Street. Once described as “A giant liner berthed on Great Queen Street”, it is here that the United Grand Lodge of England conduct their meetings and it is the administrative headquarters for all Masonic endeavour in this country. The magnificent interior (and “magnificent” scarcely does it justice) is also used for non-Masonic functions including the Way Forward for Covent Garden meetings in October 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Inside Freemasons’ Hall you will find the world’s foremost resource of freemasonry; The Library and Museum which hosts a wealth of jewels and other memorabilia from the last three centuries. Entrance is free and open to masons and non-masons alike, for the former it is a fascinating depot of historic regalia, for the later an intriguing exposé of the craft.
Hercules’ Pillars is a well established and popular pub wherein many of the regulars sport the black tie with the square and compasses, the selection of real ales is popular while, for a pub, the wine list is extensive and appealing. Food at the Hercules’ Pillars is also uncommonly good and a far cry from unambitious ‘pub grub’. If a more traditional surrounding is your preference lunch or dinner at Harlequin Restaurant could be to your taste. Focusing on the best of traditional British food with modern influences from abroad, The Harlequin offers patrons good food in a sumptuous dining area. The menu changes daily but if you have a passion for food you can take your pick from roasts, fish dishes and lighter options which showcase the very pinnacle of modern British
food.
The New Connaught Rooms are every bit as impressive with 30 separate function rooms available for hire, each decorated in its own distinctive style. This hi-tech conferencing facility is an impressive venue for business meetings and conventions. The centrepiece is the exquisite Grand Hall with its crystal chandeliers, an intricately ornate ceiling and sophisticated baroque columnry.
As suppliers of floral arrangements to many local businesses and hotels, Bloomsbury Flowers have been beautifying London for over a decade. For an elegant bouquet of familiar and exotic blooms, this shop on Great Queen Street will keep the women in your life contented. Whether wife, mother, colleague or friend every woman loves to receive flowers.
Blake Lapthorn Linnell is a specialist firm of solicitors which acts on the behalf of private individuals (probate, matrimonial etc.) as well business clients including multinational companies (tax, employment, litigation etc.) As well as the Great Queen Street practice, this large local law firm has affiliated offices in Oxford, Southampton, Fareham and Brussels.
