Guided Tour of the Lost Priory of the Order of St. John

In Clerkenwell, just to the north of the City of London, there once was a vast and wealthy estate, that of the Priory of the Medieval Order of St. John. It was the English headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller, an Order of crusading monks, and, while only parts have survived to the present day, is well worth a visit to explore the church, twelfth-century crypt, and cloister garden and to learn about their history. You can enter the cloister garden and discover the treasures inside the Museum of the Order of St. John on your own anytime during their opening hours (https://museumstjohn.org.uk/planning-your-visit/ ) but you can only get into the church, crypt, and other historic rooms on their guided tours, of which there are three (https://museumstjohn.org.uk/planning-your-visit/guided-tours/ ). The excellent Carey showed us around and walked us through the changing fortunes of the Order from their origins in Jerusalem through to their final dissolution by decree of King Henry VIII. It may not be on everyone's must-see list, but for students of history it definitely should be!