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Blackfriars
Southwark. (SE1) Named from an ancient monastery of Black or Dominican Friars. Taking advantage of the sanctuary privilege, Richard Burbage, the actor, and his fellows, when ejected from the City, built a play-house in the Blackfriars precinct, and here maintained their ground against the powerful opposition of the City and the Puritans. Shakespeare had a share in this theatre. Three eminent painters have resided in Blackfriars: Isaac Oliver, the celebrated miniature-painter; Cornelius Jansen, the portrait-painter, employed by King James I, and who painted Milton at ten years old. And here Vandyck was lodged amongst the King's artists in 1631, when he arrived a second time in London. (Reference: Timbs's Curiosities of London, p. 55)
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