London Buildings City (The Square Mile) Middle Temple HallMiddle Temple Hall
Middle Temple (and the neighbouring Inner Temple) is one of the few remaining 'liberties', an old name for a geographic division. It's a self-governing 'enclave' 
operating outside the City of London Corporation which governs the rest of the City.
Middle Temple Hall is probably the finest example of an Elizabethan Hall in the United Kingdom. 101 feet long and 41 feet wide, it's spanned by an impressive double hammer beam roof. Begun in 1562 it has remained virtually unaltered to the present day, standing in a courtyard at the heart of the peaceful Middle Temple Inn, unaffected by the metropolis that has grown up outside. To see a 360 degree photo of the Middle Temple Hall, click the link.
Middle Temple Hall took 11 years to construct and was completed in 1573 using the finest materials and artisan builders, that 16th century money could buy. A strong sense of rivalry existed within the Inns of Court, so members of the Middle Temple would have had to pay sizeable premiums in order to fund the build, but there is no record of any objection. 'Elevating status' was a worthy form of expenditure, as was attracting patronage. Queen Elizabeth became both a benefactor and guest of the Middle Temple, so the extensive outlay bore fruit.
The oil paintings above the Bench Table include portraits of Queen Elizabeth I, who dined in the Hall. High Table consists of three 29 foot planks of a single oak, reputedly a gift from Elizabeth I to the Middle Temple. Sourced from her own Windsor Forest and floated down the Thames. The Benchers of the Inn still dine at it, as they did in August 1586 when Francis Drake, just back from a successful expedition against the Spanish Indies was rapturously congratulated by Benchers and members. The hatch cover of his ship the Golden Hinde was later used to make the present ‘cupboard’, a table which stands below the Bench table.
Since medieval times the cupboard has been the centre of ceremonies. The book which members sign when they are called to the Bar is laid upon it and by it stood the Readers, when each Lent and Autumn they delivered their lectures. Either side of the white marble bust of Edmund Plowden are two double-leaved doors added in 1671 to assert the authority of the Inn after some young members had occupied the Hall without permission and ‘kept 
Christmas’ for several weeks. Revels lasting a few days were, however, customary and at Candlemas 1602 William Shakespeare’s newly completed ‘Twelfth Night’ was performed for the first time by Shakespeare's troupe - The Chamberlain's Men. It's strongly believed that Shakespeare was in the cast that evening. John Manningham of the Middle Temple wrote a journal entry for that night:
"Feb 2 at our feast (Candlemas) we had a play called Twelfth Night or 'What you will', much like the Comedy of Errors or Menechmi in Plautus... A good practise is it to make the steward beleeve his Lady widdowe was in Love with him by couterfayting a lettre, as from his Lady, in general termes, telling him what shee liked best in him and prescribing his gesture in smiling his apparraile etc. And then when he came to practise, making him beleeve they took him to be mad."
Middle Temple Hall could hold an audience of 500 and most of the plays were staged at night, meaning that they were lit by candlelight. With fire being such a frequent threat (with flammable sets and wooden stages), 'intervals' to the performance were first added to enable the burnt-down candles to be replaced. Taking advantage of this break in proceedings, food and drink were also served to the audience. It was the first time that quality scenery was used, where the trouble was taken to paint intricate backgrounds, since plays were performed inside they were not damaged by the elements. The norm was to stage outside (usually in Inn Yards such as the George Inn - Southwark, where the theatrical locations 'Stalls' and 'Pit' come from). The scenery re-use meant much more time could be invested in it.
Robert Louis Stevenson may have been inspired by the names on one of the windows. One, bearing three deer on an orange background, is the device of Josephus Jekyll. Close by is the blue and yellow shield of Roburtus Hyde. Whether the story is true or not, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was published in 1886.
Access to Middle Temple Hall is restricted. It's used mainly for corporate or private events and dinners, but you do get concerts staged there which are accessible to the public by ticket. If you can get one, then go as there are so few Elizabethan halls left in the UK (This site - lists upcoming concerts).
A short distance from the Temple Church (which is accessible), you can see the outside of the hall (which is also extremely handsome) and Middle Temple gardens when visiting.
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, Middle Temple Lane, London, EC4Y 9AT
Call: 020 7427 4820
