(St.) Thomas of Acon

   A collegiate church and hospital on the north side of Cheapside on the site now occupied by Mercers' Hall and Chapel. In Cheap Ward.

   A house of the military order of the Knights of St. Thomas of Acre. Adopted the rule of St. Augustine (Watney, 10).

   First mention: "Hospital of St. Thomas of Acres" in England, 36 H. III. 1252 (Cal. P.R. H. III. 1247-58, p.135).

   Stow says it was founded by Thomas Fitzthebald de heil and Agnes his wife, sister to Thomas Becket, in the reign of Hen. II. (S. 271).

   About 1190 (Watney, 3).

   The grant of land for the " basilica" in the Cartulary of the Hospital is dated 1221-8 (ib. 6).

   Other names and forms of name: "Fratres Sancti Thomae Acon," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 238). "Hospital of St. Thomas the Martyr of the Danes" (Dacorum), 16 Ed. II. 1323 (Cal. P.R. Ed. II. 1321-4, p.234). Surely a confusion of the name D'Acons, De Acon or De Acres. "St. Thomas the Martyr of Acon," 1399-40 (Ct. H.W. I. 436) St. Thomas de Acon," 1340 (ib. 437). " St. Thomas de Acres," 1349 (lb. 571). " St Thomas Dacon," 1349 (ib. 608). " St. Thomas near the Conduit," 1367 (ib. II. 104) St. Thomas de Aquino," 1361 (lb. 35). " St. Thomas de Acris," 1384 (lb. 243).

   Surrendered 30 H. VIII. and since purchased by the Mercers' Co. (S. 271). Mercers' Hall and Chapel erected on the site.

   Fraternity of Mercers constituted patrons of the Hospital.

   Arnold Forster, in Dedications of Churches, I. 360, says this dedication commemorated St. Thomas of Canterbury, and this statement is supported by Stow's account of the foundation of the Hospital.

   This account is confirmed by the Patent Roll, II Ed. III., in which pardon is granted to the master and brethren of the Hospital for acquiring property contrary to the Statutes of Mortmain, "out of affection for the martyr Thomas, late archbishop of Canterbury, who was born in the place now called the hospital of St. Thomas of Acon" (Cal. P.R. Ed. III. 1334-8, p.537).

   The designation "de Acon" was, of course, the full title of the Order instituted in the Holy Land about the time of Becket's death, as a branch of the Templars, who had a house at Acre.