Ownership

The 'convent garden' was the kitchen garden for the Convent or Abbey of St Peter at Westminster. In 1540, following his dispute with the Roman Catholic Church, King Henry VIII dissolved all the countries' monastic properties. Much of the Abbey's 'convent garden' land was granted to John Russell - the 1st Earl of Bedford - and would remain in the same family possession until 1918.

In 1547, King Edward VI bestowed the remainder of the convent garden to Edward Seymour, the Duke of Somerset. Seymour was beheaded for treason in 1552 - and the land came once again into royal gift. "Le covent garden" and "the long acre" were granted in perpetuity to the 4th Earl of Bedford.

Photos:

When Covent Garden Market closed, the site fell into disrepair and was earmarked for complete redevelopment in the early 1970s. Public outcry ensured the Market and dozens of buildings around it were given listed building status to protect them. In 1975, major restoration work began on the property (top right) and in 1980 Covent Garden Market re-opened as Europe's first speciality shopping centre (bottom right).