Bell's Cathedrals: The Priory Church of St. Bartholomew-the-Great, Smithfield A Short History of the Foundation and a Description of the Fabric and also of the Church of St. Bartholomew-the-Less

A compact yet thorough handbook explores the origins and architectural development of a remarkable medieval priory church in London and its smaller sister building. Drawing on original charters, medieval inventories, and the insights of clergy and scholars, the author reconstructs the foundation story and explains the building’s successive phases. The text weaves together historical anecdotes with clear explanations of the fabric, from the early Norman nave to later Tudor alterations.

The volume is richly illustrated with rare engravings, contemporary photographs, and detailed floor plans that reveal the interior from the organ gallery to hidden chapels. Each image is accompanied by concise notes, making the complex structure accessible to both casual visitors and serious students of ecclesiastical architecture. A bibliography of further reading rounds out the guide, inviting deeper research into London’s sacred heritage.