3-101-177 - "Royal Academy of Arts, London"/Heritage Images

Charterhouse - Grand Staircase, c1880. The London Charterhouse is a historic complex of buildings in Clerkenwell, London, dating from the 14th century. It was originally built as a Carthusian priory, founded in 1371. Following the priory's dissolution in 1537, it became one of the great courtyard houses of Tudor London. In 1611, the property was bought by Thomas Sutton, a businessman and "the wealthiest commoner in England", who established a school for the young and an almshouse for the old. The almshouse remains in occupation, while the school was re-located in 1872 to Godalming, Surrey. 'This is a very beautiful example of late sixteenth century work, being of the same date as that in the interior of the Great Hall.' Description by Alfred Marks.