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Charnel House
Spitalfields
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Beneath the modern streets of London lay the remains of the Charnel House of St Mary Spital, a rare survivor from the 14th century and part of the Scheduled Monument of the Priory of St Mary Spital. Built as a charnel house, where human remains were respectfully stored once burial grounds were full, it formed part of a much larger monastic complex that once dominated the area.
When the monasteries were suppressed in 1538–39 under Henry VIII, the building escaped immediate destruction by being converted into a domestic dwelling. Even so, by around 1700 it was demolished, its stones collapsing into the structure itself and buried beneath layers of rubble, including debris from the Great Fire of London.
Ironically, this rapid burial preserved the remains. Unlike many medieval buildings in London, the charnel house was never bombed, rebuilt, or over-restored.
Client
Cbre
Dates
Until 2017
Location
London
Grade listing
Scheduled Ancient Monument
Fabric
Brick
Stone
Rediscovered Beneath Bishops Square
The structure lay hidden for centuries until its discovery and excavation in 1999 during redevelopment works. Today it survives within a specially designed sunken courtyard at Bishops Square, incorporated into a modern development designed by Norman Foster.
Although protected from the weather, the enclosed space created its own challenges. Fluctuations in relative humidity gradually began to affect the fragile masonry, particularly the mortar joints and softer stone elements.
Stabilising a Fragile Survivor
In September 2017, DBR Conservation undertook a programme of conservation works based on recommendations from Odgers Conservation Ltd. The aim was not to rebuild the ruin but to stabilise it, ensuring that the surviving fabric could endure without compromising its authenticity.
Loose and friable materials were carefully removed, while displaced stones were reset. The masonry itself comprised a mixture of Reigate stone, Kentish ragstone, decorative flint, and later brick additions, each treated with techniques appropriate to its condition.
Where mortar had deteriorated, joints were repointed, and voids stabilised through grouting. Fragile stone and plasterwork were consolidated using nanolime, strengthening weakened surfaces without altering their appearance. In places where masonry had become precarious, discreet supports were introduced to prevent movement or collapse.
Discovering Colour in the Stone
During the consolidation works, an unexpected discovery emerged. On pieces of Romanesque spolia, reused fragments from earlier structures, conservators uncovered traces of decorative polychromy. Four colours survived within the stone: black, white, dark red, and a delicate light pink. This discovery offered a rare glimpse into the vibrant decorative schemes that once adorned medieval architecture.
Throughout the project, opportunities were provided for public and specialist visits. Organisations such as the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and Historic England were able to view the works in progress, ensuring that the conservation process remained both transparent and educational.
The Charnel House remained a weathered, authentic ruin, but its fragile stones were stabilised, its mortar renewed, and its structure secured against further decay. Hidden beneath a modern courtyard, it still tells medieval London’s story, its survival now protected through careful conservation for future generations.
