Timeline
Use the timeline listing to explore notable dates, events and members throughout the history of the Inn. Each timeline entry can be clicked on for expanded information.
- 1388
The precise date of the establishment of the Inn in the premises of the Greys' manor house is not documented. The earliest known reference to the existence of the Inn as a lodging of lawyers appears to be in 1370, when it is referred to as a "hospitium".
- 1530
William Walsingham (b. after 1480, d. 1534) was a lawyer and landowner. - 1541
William Cecil, later Lord Burghley (1520-1598), admitted 1541 and elected an Ancient 1547. - 1588
Defeat of the Spanish Armada led by the Admiral Lord Howard of Effingham, a member of the Inn.
- 1594
On 28 December 1594 the first known performance of Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors" took place in Gray's Inn Hall, as part of the Inn's Christmas festivities.
- 1600
Around 1595-1600 the Inn ceased to use the arms of the de Grey family and instead adopted the griffin as its official badge.
- 1608
Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626; called 1582) appointed Treasurer
- 1608
The Inn’s gardens, known as ‘the Walks’, were laid out by Sir Francis Bacon in 1608.
- 1611
Of the 47 scholars involved with work on the King James's Bible, 8 were connected to the Inn.
- 1649
Members John Bradshaw (1602-59; called 1627) and John Cooke or Cook (1608-60; called 1631) were the judge - President of the High Court of Justice - and prosecutor respectively at the trial of Charles I in 1649.