Crosby Moran Hall

Crosby Hall, known initially as Crosby Place, is a historic gem in London with roots going back to 1466. Built by Sir John Crosby, a wealthy wool merchant and alderman, the grand house originally stood in Bishopsgate, in the heart of the City of London. Sir John didn’t enjoy his impressive home for long, as he passed away in 1475. In 1910, the Great Hall, the most significant part of the building, was carefully dismantled and relocated to Cheyne Walk in Chelsea. Renamed Crosby Moran Hall in 2021, it’s now considered one of the most important surviving examples of a medieval merchant's house in the city.

The Great Hall, constructed between 1466 and 1475, was initially built on land that had once been part of St. Helen’s Convent near St. Helen’s Church in Bishopsgate. After Crosby’s death, the Hall found itself in the hands of the Duke of Gloucester, later known as Richard III. The Hall became one of Richard’s London residences and was the site of key political machinations, including his controversial role as ‘Protector’ during the mysterious disappearance of the Princes in the Tower.

Crosby Hall even found its way into literature, most notably in William Shakespeare’s *Richard III*, where "Crosby Place" is referenced. Over the years, the Hall hosted notable figures and extravagant banquets. Sir Bartholomew Reade entertained Catherine of Aragon when she first arrived in England in 1501 to marry Prince Arthur.

In the early 16th century, the Hall was owned by Sir Thomas More, although it’s unlikely he wrote his famous *Utopia* here. More sold the property to Antonio Bonvisi, and later, the Hall was owned by various wealthy merchants. Among them was John Spencer, who hosted Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh.

Crosby Hall was a temporary prison for Royalist captives during the English Civil War. Later, it served a more commercial purpose when the East India Company rented parts of the building for meetings and storage. However, time took its toll, and a fire in 1672 destroyed much of the structure, leaving only the Great Hall and a single wing intact.

Efforts to preserve Crosby Hall began in the 19th century, led by campaigner Maria Hackett. In 1868, the building was converted into a restaurant, but the growing pressures of the city made its future uncertain. Public outrage ensued when the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China bought the site in 1907 with plans to demolish the building. Even King Edward VII voiced his support for saving the Hall. Eventually, it was decided to move Crosby Hall to Chelsea, where it was carefully rebuilt under the guidance of architect Walter Godfrey.

During World War I, Crosby Hall became a refuge for Belgian exiles. Writer Henry James poignantly described how its grand roof now sheltered those fleeing conflict. After the war, the Hall continued to serve charitable causes, offering support to women academics escaping Nazi Germany.

In 1988, businessman and philanthropist Christopher Moran acquired Crosby Hall and undertook extensive restoration work. Moran transformed it into a private residence, restoring its medieval character and adding luxury touches. Though controversial then, the project was approved after a public inquiry. Moran also restored the garden, incorporating plants from the Tudor period and commissioning artisans to recreate heraldic beasts in a nod to the Hall’s medieval roots.

In 2021, the site was officially renamed Crosby Moran Hall, marking a new chapter in its long history. Most recently, in February 2023, the chapel was blessed in an ecumenical service led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Canon Jamie Hawkey, reinforcing its status as a historic and living monument.

Despite the many changes and restorations over the centuries, Crosby Hall remains a rare survivor of London’s medieval past. Its rich history, from royal intrigue and literary inspiration to modern preservation efforts, ensures its lasting place as a significant part of London’s heritage.