Timeline

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”. The first definite reference to Gray’s Inn … Continued

He was the Autumn Reader 1530, and first Treasurer of Gray’s Inn from Michaelmas in the same year. He is, however, mostly notable as the father of Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth’s famous, and notorious, Principal Secretary, himself admitted to Gray’s Inn in 1552. The Walsingham arms are pictured above.

William Cecil, later Lord Burghley (1520-1598), admitted 1541 and elected an Ancient 1547.

Defeat of the Spanish Armada led by the Admiral Lord Howard of Effingham, a member of the Inn. The Armada Screen at the west end of Hall (pictured above) is believed, in part at least, to contain wood salvaged from a Spanish galleon and was the gift of Queen Elizabeth I (the Inn’s patron lady).

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.

Around 1595-1600 the Inn ceased to use the arms of the de Grey family and instead adopted the griffin as its official badge. There is no definite explanation for this, but the most likely possibility is that the griffin (perhaps borrowed from the arms of Richard Aungier, repeatedly Treasurer in the late 16th century) was … Continued

The Inn’s gardens, known as ‘the Walks’, were laid out by Sir Francis Bacon in 1608. The Walks today remain one of the largest privately owned gardens in London.

Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626; called 1582) appointed Treasurer

Of the 47 scholars involved with work on the King James’s Bible, 8 were connected to the Inn.

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.

In the late 17th century the Inn suffered a series of disastrous fires, which taken together substantially depressed its fortunes, already weakened by the Civil War and the changes in the legal system, and impoverished it for years. The most damaging was that of 1684, which destroyed among other buildings the library and its contents. … Continued

Sir John Holt (1642-1710; called 1663) was Lord Chief Justice from 1689. He declined the Great Seal in 1700. In a time when the legal system was notoriously corrupt and inefficient, Holt was famous for his enormous integrity and fairness in judgment. He was particularly influential in ending the prosecution of witches.

Revd Adam Buddle (1662-1715) was appointed Gray’s Inn Chapel Reader in 1702. Buddle was not only an impoverished clergyman but also a noted botanist, especially expert in mosses. Linnaeus named the buddleia in his honour.

The present gates to the Walks are erected bearing the initials of the Treasurer at the time, William Gylby or Gilby. The Walks today remain one of the largest privately owned gardens in London.

Samuel Romilly (1757-1818; called 1783) was one of the most distinguished Inn members of the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Sir Robert Lush (1807-81; called 1840; Treasurer 1860) was one of the few prominent members of the Inn of the 19th century. He was known in his day for his unassuming character, sharp intellect, clarity of expression and complete lack of interest in politics. His son Sir (Charles) Montague Lush (1853-1930) was also a distinguished … Continued

James Richard Atkin (1867-1944), later Lord Atkin, was called to the Bar from the Inn in 1891.

The Chapel was restored in a late Gothic style in 1893, which it remained until it was destroyed during the Blitz.

F E Smith (1872-1930; called 1899), later Lord Birkenhead, was equally well-known for his successful career at the Bar and his subsequent political career.

Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt first met in 1918 at a dinner in Gray’s Inn Hall. Both were elected Honorary Benchers of the Inn in World War II, and Churchill’s son was admitted to Gray’s Inn. Churchill’s bust (pictured) is displayed in Hall.

Edith Hesling (1899-1971; later Bradbury), admitted on 4 October 1920, the first woman called to the Bar at the Inn, on 13 June 1923.

The Inn suffered extensive damage during the Blitz, particularly in the raid of 10/11 May 1941. Fortunately the stained windows in both Hall and Chapel had been previously removed and stored away from the Inn for safe-keeping, as had the Treasurers’ panels, the portraits and the rare books, manuscripts and archives. The 16th-century ‘Armada Screen’ … Continued

The “Gesta Grayorum” entertainment was performed in Hall in front of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 13 November 1956. The entertainment was based on the installation of the Prince of Purpoole during the Christmas revels of 1594, and the “Masque of Proteus” performed before Queen Elizabeth I at Shrovetide 1595 (opinions vary as to … Continued

On 11 May 1960 the rebuilt Chapel was re-dedicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Rev Geoffrey Fisher, thus bringing to an end the Inn’s post-war reconstruction. Of the non-residential buildings, the Hall had been reopened on 5 December 1951 by HRH the Duke of Gloucester and the first dinner was served on 16 … Continued

Dame Rose Heilbron (1914-2005; called 1939) was one of the country’s most famous barristers and the Inn’s first female Treasurer.

The Bar Vocational Course (BVC), now known as the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), is expanded to additional providers throughout the UK. The Bar Vocational Course (BVC), known as the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) from the 2010-11 academic year, was provided solely by the Inns of Court School of Law until 1997. From the … Continued

The new bridge connecting Hall and 10 South Square was completed and the Bridge Bar for members was opened.