We enter the Charterhouse precincts, a peaceful oasis amid the turmoil of the City, by a 16th century Gatehouse, altered in the 18th century, with a side-entrance added in the 19th century. From the Entrance Court we pass by an archway below the Long Gallery of Howard House (not shown) into the Master's Court, which occupies the site of the Little Cloisters. Immediately facing us here is the Great Hall; the buildings (now faced with modern brick) on the other three sides of the quadrangle formed part of Howard House, and are occupied by the Master (on the east) and the Registrar (on the west). A door in the north-east corner of the court admits to the Chapel Cloisters, built in 1613, containing memorial tablets to famous 'Carthusians.' On the left is the door of Brooke Hall, a common-room named after the headmaster of 1628. The Chapel was built in 1349 as a mortuary chapel before the foundation of the monastery, and portions of the south and east walls belong to the original structure. Behind the panelling on the east wall is an aumbry. The ante-chapel, or lay-brothers' choir, was built by Prior Tynbygh in 1512. The north arcade, the north aisle, the pulpit, communion table, and seats in the middle of the church date from about 1614. The elaborate tomb of Thomas Sutton (died 1611), with a recumbent effigy, was designed by Nicholas Stone and Bernard Jansen. Among the other monuments (not in their original positions) are those of John Law, one of Button's trustees (died 1614), by Nicholas Stone; Dr. Raine (died 1811), by Flaxman; and Lord Ellenborough (died 1818), by Chantrey. Near the vestry is a fragment of the tomb of Sir Walter de Manny (died 1372). We now ascend the Great Staircase of carved oak, constructed by the Duke of Norfolk. The Terrace, reached from the upper floor, is supported on an arcade built by the Duke of Norfolk along the west side of the Great Cloister. The Officers' Library, containing books bequeathed by Daniel Wray, formed until 1784 a part of the Great Chamber, which with its panelled chimney-piece (perhaps brought from Italy), Flemish tapestries, and beautiful ceiling is the finest Elizabethan room in Englandied The Duchess's Withdrawing Room, with a collection of prints, etc., and the Duke's Privie Chamber are not always shown to visitors. We descend to the Master's Court and enter the Great Hall, built early in the 16th century as a guest hall, but much altered by the Duke of Norfolk, who raised the roof, inserted the upper windows, and added the singing-gallery, screen, and panelling. The brothers dine here daily. Adjoining is the Brothers' Library, occupying the site of the monks' refectory. A neighbouring door gives upon the Great Cloister, 100 yards square, now the playground of Merchant Taylors' School. Around it once stood the 24 cells of the monks, each a two-storied cottage with a garden. Beneath the terrace are traces of three doorways, with the hatches through which the monks' food was handed in.
A passage on the west side of the Master's Court leads past the Monks' Kitchen into the Wash House Court, the best preserved part of the monastic buildings as rebuilt in the 16th century. On the ground-floor were the working-rooms of the lay-brothers, on the first floor their cells. The attics and some of the windows are of later date. On the outer (west) wall of this court, in the brickwork, are a cross and the letters I H, either the initials of John Houghton or a portion of the sacred symbol I H S. To the north of this point are Preacher's Court and Pensioners' Court, two quadrangles dating from 1826-39, in which the brothers reside.
