BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE

   At 32 Little Britain, on the west, south and east sides of St. Bartholomew the Great (P.O. Directory). In Farringdon Ward Without.

   In the grant to Sir Richard Riche in 1544 of the priory of St. Bartholomew, the boundaries of Greate Saynte Bartholomew Close are set out, and the Close said to be regarded as a parish by itself (L. and P. H. VIII. XIX. (1), p. 376).

   It formed a precinct and the inhabitants enjoyed special privileges, such as freedom from arrest, etc., privileges originally granted to the ancient monastic foundation by Henry I.

   Called "Great Bartholomew Close" (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 284).

   So called as forming the enclosed grounds or close of the ancient priory of St. Bartholomew.

   Hatton, 1708, describes it as a kind of small, though irregular square, with several passages leading into it.