Middle Temple Library & Hall
- Taryn
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Today we visited the Middle Temple Library for a tour and met Dr. Renae Satterly, Keeper of the Middle Temple Library. Dr. Satterley explained that the Temple Library is a law reference library that is not open to the public. Access is permitted only to members of all four Inns of Court, which are professional associations based in London. The four Inns of Court consist of the following societies: Gray’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, Inner Temple, and Middle Temple. The Middle Temple Library was established in 1651 using Robert Ashley’s collection of 4,000 volumes—the largest private book collection in England at the time. The eclectic collection covered a diverse range of topics, differing significantly from the legal focus of the library today.
We actually began our tour in Middle Temple Hall (above), which has impressive wood work and a wall of royal portraits. The hall was built in 1570 during the Elizabethan period. Dr. Satterley described how Queen Elizabeth I had attended a meeting at Middle Temple Hall once, but thought it was boring and wrote a letter to the barristers complaining about how dull it was. The Queen gifted the beautiful, long dining table to Middle Temple, where it remains reserved exclusively for senior members (see below, along with a portrait of Elizabeth I). The hall is multipurpose and has been used for dining, lecturing, and even performances of Shakespeare.
After hearing an introduction in the Middle Temple Hall, we were led through several other rooms such as the Bench Apartments for senior members of the Court. The next two rooms were the Queen’s Room and the Prince’s Room, which the latter was named in honor of Prince William (see below). I found the Prince's Room to be elegant, with the bright red chairs providing a wonderful, vibrant pop of color. Dr. Satterley informed us that two royal family members are traditionally asked to be Middle Temple members. Past members include high-profile royals like the Queen Mother and Princess Diana.
When we arrived in the actual library we were met with two Molyneux Globes, which were the first globes made in England in 1592 (see below). I only have a picture of one globe, which I believe is the terrestrial globe while the other is the celestial. I was struck by the detail of the animals on the globe and that the globes have survived this long since they were originally made of flour-paste and paper. The globes were removed to another location outside of London during World War II for protection during the Blitz, which turned out to be a wise choice since the old library building suffered irreparable damage after being bombed. The library standing today was rebuilt after the War.
A final look inside the Middle Temple Library, showcasing the law book stacks and a quiet study nook. Next on the itinerary is a tour of the Globe Theatre. I am super excited for this one!
I am astonished! I cannot even imagine standing in the places you have been. I was surprised to see how colorful the seats are and loved seeing the portrait of Elizabeth I. Marvelous, truly marvelous!