St Paul's Churchyard facts for kids
St. Paul's Churchyard is an important historical area located right next to St Paul's Cathedral in the center of the City of London. For many years, it was a busy place that included a famous outdoor speaking spot called St Paul's Cross and a well-known street for books, Paternoster Row. This area grew to become one of London's main marketplaces, full of activity and people.
What Was St. Paul's Churchyard?
St. Paul's Churchyard was more than just a space around a church. It was a lively hub where people gathered for many reasons. It served as a major marketplace where goods were bought and sold. It was also a place where important announcements were made to the public.
A Place for Important Talks
One of the most famous features of the churchyard was St Paul's Cross. This was an open-air pulpit, like a stage for speakers. During the 1500s and 1600s, many big announcements about changes in politics and religion were made here. These changes were part of a period called the Reformation, which reshaped religious life in England. Important figures would speak from the Cross, sharing news and ideas with large crowds.
One historical event connected to the churchyard involved Henry Garnet, a figure linked to the famous Gunpowder Plot. This was a plan in 1605 to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
The Heart of London's Book World
When printing became popular, St. Paul's Churchyard quickly turned into the main center for the book trade in England. At first, many of the booksellers were from other countries.
In 1484, King Richard III passed a law that encouraged these foreign booksellers to do business in London. Even though there were other laws meant to protect local businesses, King Richard III made sure that printers and booksellers were allowed to continue their work freely. This helped the book trade in the churchyard to grow and become very successful.
