More information : 1 [TQ 2886 9001] MUS WELL [G.T] (Site of) [at 'A'] 2 [Area centred TQ 2885 8995] Muswell Hill derives its name from an old well on the top of the hill where formerly the fraternity of St. John of Jesusalem, whose headquarters were at Clerkenwell, had a considerable farm conferred on them by Bishop Beauvais or Beauvoir, in 1112, he being, in the right of his office as Bishop of London, Lord of the Manor of Hornsey. Miraculous cures were attributed to the well, and it drew a large concourse of pilgrims to the adjoining shrine of Our Lady in whose honour a chapel was erected. On the suppression of the monastery the church was probably left standing, as Stow in his Survey mentions a church at Muswell Hill. The site of the church is said to have been adjoining the house called Wellfield. The well still remains but is drained dry (1). The site of these wells seems to be completely lost or forgotten, though they were in existence 80 years ago, being then two in number with brick down to the water level, about 5 1/2ft. below ground (2).
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