Bow Church

St. Mary-le-Bow Church was built to designs by Sir Christopher Wren during the 1670s, after the original building was destroyed during the Great Fire of London in 1666. According to tradition, a true Cockney must be born within earshot of the church's bells.

In this print the Church can be seen integrated into the urban landscape. The 223 foot steeple, which was completed in 1680 and considered an architectural feat, towers above street level and dwarfs the pedestrians and carriages in the foreground.

This engraving was published in the 1754 revised edition of John Stow's 'Survey of London', which first appeared in 1598. Stow's topographical survey offered readers a detailed description of London's architecture, as well as its customs, sheriffs and mayors, during the Tudor period. It was revised and enlarged over the next few centuries. Later editions appeared between 1603 and 1912.