View report page

14
to distinguish the Abbey from the Church of St. Paul, in the City of
London, which had been founded by the same monarch seven years
previously.
Before the establishment of the Abbey, the land which was
selected as its site comprised a marshy island, separated from the
shore by a short branch of the river Thames, long since converted
into a sewer. In the year 785, the island had acquired the name
of Thorny Island, apparently in consequence of a thick growth of
thorns and briers. According to the prevailing custom, the Abbey
attracted a small colony of settlers in its immediate locality, partly
no doubt for the sake of the protection and security afforded by the
growing wealth and power of the religious corporations, as well as
for the benefit of spiritual ministrations, and at an early period the
houses erected round the Abbey had grown into the "town of
Westminster."
As time went on, Westminster received several marks of royal
favour. One of the most frequently used residences of the Kings
was erected in Westminster, and, being naturally followed by the
building of houses for occupation by the nobility, had no small
share in contributing to the early prosperity and importance of the
place. It is indeed surmised that the Court party did not regard
with unmixed satisfaction the privileges and immunities claimed by
the citizens of London, and were, therefore, rather disposed to
encourage what might be considered an opposing element. With
this object, possibly, the wool staple was established at Westminster
by Edward III. in 1353, in preference to London.
On the suppression of the religious houses in the year 1539, the
Abbey was converted into a college of secular canons, under the
government of a Dean, and two years subsequently was formed into
a Bishopric, Westminster being thus raised to the dignity of a city,
a title which it still retains. Episcopal honours, however, were not
long enjoyed, for the first bishop, Thomas Thurleby, was translated
by Edward VI. in 1550 to the See of Norwich. Westminster was
then reduced to a Deanery, until, in 1553, Queen Mary restored it
to its original monastic character. The accession of Elizabeth
however brought further changes, and in 1558, the monks were