History

In the middle of the 12th century, the Military Order of the Knights Templar built a fine round church by the Thames, which became known as the Temple Church. Two centuries later, after the abolition of the Order in 1312, lawyers came to occupy the Temple site and buildings. They formed themselves into two societies, the Inner Temple and Middle Temple.

In Brief

The Inn’s History – From 12th Century Knights Templar home to modern day legal hub

The Inner Temple History

Looking at the development of the Inn through the ages

Admissions Database 1547-1940

Covering admissions to the Inn between 1547 and 1940

Clifford's Inn

Learn about the first and last of the Inns of Chancery

Paintings Collection

Take a look through the Inn’s collection of paintings and portraits

Silver Collection

Take a look through the Inn’s silver collection

Pegasus Emblem

The Origins Story of our Pegasus

Oral History Project

Hear about the Inner Temple from members, residents and staff members

The Freehold

The history of the Inn’s freehold

Silver - Extract from 'A Community of Communities'

Interesting items in the silver collection

Paintings

Highlights from the Inn’s Painting Collection

Library Manuscripts

Comprising of over 9,000 items, including some of the earliest known depictions of the English courts

Calendars of Inner Temple Records 1505-1845

Records of our Archives 1505-1845 including the proceedings of meetings of the Bench Table and the Inn’s own Parliament

Bench Table Orders 1845-1945

Historic records from the Inn’s own Parliament

The Christmas Accounts 1614-82

The costs of food and entertainment during the Inn’s seventeenth century extravagant Christmas celebrations

Historical Articles

Articles about the Inn and its members

William Niblett - A Life Re-Examined

Well travelled, frequently enigmatic and often unfathomable, WCN presents a beguiling picture

The Archives

Inn’s historic records from 1505 onwards. Summary description of holdings