Blackfriars is an area of central London, which lies in the south-west corner of the City of London.
The name Blackfriars was first used in 1317 (as Black Freres from the French 'frère' meaning 'brother') and derives from the black cappa worn by the Dominican Friars who moved their priory from Holborn to the area between the River Thames and Ludgate Hill in 1276. They were well-respected until Henry VIII “The rapacious king laid his rough hand on the treasures of the house in 1538, and Edward VI. sold the hall and prior's lodgings to Sir Francis Bryan, a courtier, afterwards granting Sir Francis Cawarden, Master of the Revels, the whole house and precincts of the Preacher Friars, the yearly value being then valued at nineteen pounds. The holy brothers were dispersed to beg or thieve, and the church was pulled down, but the mischievous right of sanctuary continued.”
Some of the buildings were subsequently leased to a group of entrepreneurs who created the Blackfriars Theatre on the site, not far from Shakespeare's Globe Theatre which sat almost directly across on the other side of the river. Though many attempts were made to close them down, or kick them out, Blackfriars Theatre became a staple of the arts community on London. In 1623, part of the building collapsed during a performance, killing 93 people. It lead to arguments between the Catholics and the Protestants regarding who was responsible.
Blackfriars station, also known as London Blackfriars, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex in the City of London. Its platforms span the River Thames a short distance downstream from Blackfriars Bridge. The mainline railway station was opened as St Paul's by the London Chatham and Dover Railway on 10 May 1886 when it opened the St Paul's Railway Bridge across the River Thames.