Editing Middle Temple (section)

=== The Hall ===
[[File:cmglee London Middle Temple hall.jpg|thumb|left|Interior of the hall and its double-hammerbeam roof]]
Construction of Middle Temple Hall began in 1562 and was completed in the early 1570s. Its [[hammerbeam roof]] has been said to be the best in London.<ref>Bellot (1902), p. 281</ref> [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth&nbsp;I]] visited the hall in 1578, unannounced, to inspect the new building and listen to a debate between barristers. This is the earliest known visit of a reigning monarch to an Inn of Court.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=Sir John |date=2017 |journal=The Law Quarterly Review |volume=133 |title=A Royal visit to the Temple in 1578 |pages=535–537}}</ref> One of the tables at the end of the hall is traditionally said to have been made from the timbers of the ''[[Golden Hinde]]'', the ship used by [[Francis Drake|Sir Francis Drake]] to circumnavigate the world.<ref>Bellot (1902), p. 282</ref> Above the table is a massive painting of [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]] thought to be a copy by [[Peter Lely]] of the original by [[Anthony van Dyck]],<ref>[https://www.middletemple.org.uk/archive-history/archive-month/september-2018-royal-paintings-middle-temple-hall "Royal Paintings in Middle Temple Hall"] (retrieved 19 February 2021).</ref> and also portraits of Charles II, James II, William III, Elizabeth I, Queen Anne and George I.<ref>Bellot (1902), p. 283</ref> On the walls are panels bearing the coats of arms of [[Reader (Inns of Court)|Readers]] (senior members<ref group=note>Readers are [[Bencher]]s of the Inn, who traditionally were appointed to give a 'Reading.'</ref>) dating back to 1597.<ref>[https://www.middletemple.org.uk/archive/archive-month/february-2021-behind-armorial-panels-their-history-preservation-and-conservation "Behind the Armorial Panels - Their History, Preservation and Conservation,"] Middle Temple website, retrieved 20 September 2024.</ref>

The first recorded performance of Shakespeare's play ''[[Twelfth Night]]'' occurred in the hall on 2 February 1602.<ref>[https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/photograph-of-middle-temple-hall-the-location-for-the-first-recorded-performance-of-twelfth-night British library website] (retrieved 3 November 2017).</ref> Shakespeare himself was probably present.<ref>Bellot (1902), pp. 286-288</ref>

The hall survived the Great Fire of London in 1666, but was damaged by bombing in the Second World War.

Middle Temple Hall is at the heart of the Inn, hosting several events per year for members of the Inn (and sometimes their guests), some of which also count as [[#Qualifying sessions|qualifying sessions]] for student members.

Middle Temple Hall is also a popular venue for banqueting, weddings, receptions and parties. In recent years, it has become a much-used film location, as has Middle Temple generally, because of its cobbled streets, historic buildings and gas lighting.