City of London in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

The Black Friar

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 17, 2018

1. The Black Friar Marker

Inscription. This Art Nouveau masterpiece was built in 1905 on the site of a former Dominican friary which existed from 1279 to 1539. Following the 260 years of the Dominican friars, the site became the parliament chamber of the monastery. It is believed that Emperor Charles V, the Papal Magistrate and Henry VIII's court sat on this very site during the dissolution of Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon in 1532. The Black Friar has been a favourite watering hole for many since the merry monks first settled on this site. Its unusual shape is due to the fact that all of the surrounding buildings have long since been demolished, taking with them the small alleyways that were once the only access to the pub. This wonderful pub was due for demolition in the Sixties but the public outcry led by Sir John Betjeman and Lady Dartmouth saved the building.

Erected by Nicholson's Pubs.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 51° 30.731′ N, 0° 6.227′ W. Marker is in City of London, England,

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in Greater London. It is at the intersection of Queen Victoria Street and New Bridge Street on Queen Victoria Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 174 Queen Victoria Street, City of London, England EC4V 4EG, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in London

and in the Greater South East.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Palace of Bridewell (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Victoria R.I. (about 90 meters away); Blackfriars Bridge (about 120 meters away); City of London School for Girls (about 210 meters away); The Daily Courant (about 210 meters away); Ludgate (about 240 meters away); The Old Bell (about 240 meters away); Edgar Wallace (about 240 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in City of London.

Also see . . . Black Friar (pub) (Wikipedia).

The Black Friar Marker - Wide View image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 17, 2018

2. The Black Friar Marker - Wide View

"The Black Friar is a Grade II* listed public house on Queen Victoria Street in Blackfriars, London....It was built in about 1875 on the site of a former medieval Dominican friary, and then remodelled in about 1905 by the architect Herbert Fuller-Clark. Much of the internal decoration was done by the sculptors Frederick T. Callcott & Henry Poole." (Submitted on May 4, 2018.)

The Black Friar image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 17, 2018

3. The Black Friar

Although not quite visible here, the marker is located just to the right of the entrance that is on the left side, towards the rear of the building.

The Black Friar - Exterior Decoration image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 17, 2018

4. The Black Friar - Exterior Decoration

The Black Friar - Exterior Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 20, 2018

5. The Black Friar - Exterior Detail

The Black Friar - Interior Detail - "Haste is Slow" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 20, 2018

6. The Black Friar - Interior Detail - "Haste is Slow"

Interior detail of a friar eating. By Henry Poole, RA.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 670 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 4, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.