St. Helen's Bishopsgate, London

The late Gothic church of Saint Helen, situated east of Bishopsgate, has endured extensive damage during the IRA bombings in the 1990s. This intriguing structure, characterized by its undulating crenellations and Baroque bell turret, incorporates the original pre-Reformation Benedictine nunnery church and houses five grand tombs from before the Great Fire. Following the bombing, the church underwent several alterations, including raising the floor level, shifting the church screens, adding a new organ gallery, and reconfiguring the seating arrangement to emphasize the pulpit, aligning with its current evangelical orientation.

In addition to its unique architecture, Saint Helen's is renowned for once having William Shakespeare as one of its parishioners. This historical fact is supported by an entry in the tax records of the Ward of Bishopsgate dated 15 November 1597, which reported that out of 73 rateable residents in the parish, Shakespeare had neglected to pay 5 shillings on taxable goods valued at 拢5. Further evidence suggests that he resided in close proximity to Saint Helen's, likely within a group of buildings overlooking the churchyard. The Bard's stay in this area occurred between 1597 and 1598, coinciding with the time when he was writing "Romeo and Juliet".

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Sight Name: St. Helen's Bishopsgate
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Shakespeare's London Walking Tour

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