Old Houses, Fleet Street, ca.1884

From: Henry Dixon & Son

RA Collection: Art

"AUBREY tells us that Michael Drayton, the poet, "lived at the bay-windowe house, next the East end of St. Dunstan's Ch. in Fleet-Street" (Lives II. 335). Tradition claimes for the house shown in the middle of the photograph the honour of having been the residence of the author of Polyoblion. The Great Fire stopped on the north side of Fleet Street, at Fetter Lane, sparing St. Dunstan's and the intervening block of houses. The house certainly dates from before the Fire, and it agrees with Aubrey's description."

The above description, by Alfred Marks, has been taken from the letterpress whcih accompanies the photographs.