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an article
by Carol Dunham

Twentieth century shoppers probably thought they were the
first bargain hunters to enjoy the convenience of shopping malls. But they were
mistaken, several hundred years before, London shoppers had enjoyed a shopping
mall.
On June 23,
1571, the
Royal Exchange Cornhill was opened by Elizabeth I. the Exchange was built by
Sir Thomas Grisham on land between Cornhill and Thread-needle Streets.
From the gateway, shoppers entered a
courtyard decorated with statues of English kings. Around the courtyard were
three connected buildings. The buildings, which rose four stories high, were
constructed of brick, although the brick was later covered with stucco. Running
in front of all the buildings was a covered walkway, so shoppers could stay out
of the rain as they ran in and out of about 100 stores, offering such diverse
merchandise as millinery, books, armor, and jewelry, to mention a few. The
shops were open in the evening when the stores were lit by candlelight, and
every Sunday, from 1571 to 1642, concerts were given by local musicians. Sadly,
the Exchange was destroyed in the great London fire of 1666.
Emerson,
Kathy. The Writer's Guide to Renaissance England from 1485-1649. Cincinnati, OH: Readers Digest Books, 1996.
The Royal Exchange was rebuilt
twice, once after the Great Fire of London, and again in 1844
after another fire destroyed the newer building in 1838. It was London’s center of commerce until
1939; today it again serves its original purpose as a luxury shopping mall.
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