• Aims
• Canonbury Tower
• Management

History of Canonbury Tower

Islington, London

1509-1532 Prior Bolton of St. Bartholomew in Smithfield Builded of new the Manor of Chanonbury of Islington which belonged to the Canons of this house… The Tower is part of Bolton’s building.

1530-1569 After the dissolution of the monasteries, Canonbury was occupied by various Court favourites, amongst whom were Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex; John Dudley, Earl of Warwick and afterwards Duke of Northumberland; and Thomas, Lord Wentworth.

1570 Canonbury was acquired by Sir John Spencer, Lord Mayor of London 1594-1595. Sir John made many improvements, the fine panelling of the Spencer and Compton Oak Rooms are his work.

1599 Sir John Spencer’s daughter and heiress, Elizabeth, married the second Lord Compton, afterwards first Earl of Northampton. Tradition says that they eloped, Elizabeth concealed in a baker’s basket, and her lover disguised as a baker’s boy.

1610 Death of Sir John Spencer. The Tower was passed on to the Northampton family, with whom it stayed ever since.

1616-1625 Canonbury House was leased to Sir Francis Bacon, then Attorney General.

1625 Canonbury House was leased to Sir Thomas Coventry, afterwards Lord Keeper.

1649-1660 During the Commonwealth the third Earl of Northampton lived mainly at Canonbury.

1685 William, Viscount Fielding, Earl of Denbigh, died at Canonbury. Thereafter and during the 18th century, the Tower and adjoining buildings were let in apartments.

1762-1764 Oliver Goldsmith lodged in Compton Oak Room on the second floor of the Tower.

1770-1780 The southern range of Bolton’s building was demolished, and replaced by elegant new villas — now Nos 1-5 Canonbury Place.

1998 Canonbury Masonic Research Centre was founded on 23 October and moved into the Tower on 1 December.