Southwark Cathedral

Frommer's Review

There's been a church on this site, in the heart of London's first theater district, for more than a thousand years. The present one dates from the 15th century and was partly rebuilt in 1890. The previous one was the first Gothic church to be constructed in London (in 1106). A wooden effigy of a knight dates from 1275. Shakespeare and Chaucer worshipped here; a Shakespeare birthday service is held annually, and inside is a memorial to the playwright. In 1424, James I of Scotland married Mary Beaufort here. During the reign of Mary Tudor, Stephen Gardiner, the Bishop of Winchester, held a consistory court in the retro choir that condemned seven Protestants -- the Marian martyrs -- to death. Later, from 1540 to 1671, the same retro choir was rented to a baker and used to house pigs. Organ concerts are presented on Monday 1:10 to 1:50pm, and classical music concerts on Tuesday 3:15 to 4pm. Both are free.

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