Priory Church of Saint Bartholomew the Great

Two days ago I went exploring and found the Priory Church of St. Bartholomew the Great. It is one of London't oldest churches. I think it is the second oldest church in London. It was built when Henry the first was King of England(he was the son of William the Conquerer). I took the tube to a place a little south of Covent Garden and started walking. It was freezing and gray and was definitely threatening rain. I walked and walked. I walked through a cute little park. There are little (and big) parks all throughout London. I think that is just great. It started to pour rain and the wind picked up. I pulled out my little aluminum travel umbrella and it did nothing. Then it blew inside out. While I was wrangling with my umbrella trying to get it right side out a dapper older gentleman walked by and said, "bit blustery out isn't it." Hello understatement. I found this wierd little alley with a german looking exterior archway thing and took refuge from the rain in there. When I got under the overhang and wiped the rain off my glasses

I saw this

I was like what the heck is that. So I walked down the alley and it opened up to a beautiful little courtyard.

And these exteriors.

When I entered the church the frail elderly caretaker bustled me in and said, "oh! come out of the rain. It's a bit blustery out" hahahaha
Entrance to the church. (left)

One of the many floor tombs that cover the church.








I'm so lazy, I won't write a description I'll just let you read it.

Up close pic of the tomb. Read the inscription.
I really like this picture for some reason. I had to ask the caretaker what it was. I forget the proper name now, but it's what they baptise babies in.






Yes this is still St. Barts. The trashcan, phone and miscellaneous crap is all in plain view in a corner of the church.



This is the founder's Tomb. Prior Rahere. He died in 1143.







This is the hallway to cloister aka where the monks lived.

right: The inscription underneath this memorial reads, "Behowdle youreselves by vs svtche once were we as you and yov in tyme shalbe even dvste as we are now"


Some of the memorials were very modest like this one. Others...








...were more ornate like this one. This person was a helper(employee?) of Queen Elizabeth I.

It's too dark to see but this is a floor to ceiling organ.

Sorry about the wierd spacing I'm still having trouble figuring out pictures on this thing. Also the British keyboard is different from ours so if I have a bajillion typos that's why.