London’s Alleys: Albemarle Way, EC1

This is a Clerkenwell alley that seems likely to owe its origins to the dissolution of the monasteries and the sell-off of their land.The Priory of St John of Jerusalem, aka the Knights Hospitallers, is the monastery in question and was the home of the Hospitallers’ Grand Prior in England and their UK headquarters. The Priory was founded sometime the reign of King Henry II (1154-1189), and later acquired considerable lands to support its income. However, it was never rich as it sent most o