Gate Expectations or oils well that ends well
Updated: Jul 29
For many years Temple Bar, the ancient western gateway to the City of London, was re-built as the grand 'front gate' to Lady Valerie Meux's estate at Theobalds Park, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire. In June 1887, Sir Henry Meux had bought the monument, but Lady Valerie Meux was the driving force behind the purchase. On 25th November 1887, the removal of four hundred tons of stonework from London to Theobalds began. Early in the New Year, on 12th January 1888, Valerie laid the foundation stone in the presence of a large number of locals.
In 2004, Temple Bar was returned to the city as part of the redevelopment of Paternoster Square, next to St Paul’s Cathedral.
Temple Bar has now become the centre of a new tradition — if such a thing is actually possible —known as 'Oiling of the Gates'. The event is a public pageant in which the Master of the Gates symbolically oils the hinges of Temple Bar using an oil can. This act represents ensuring the gateway is in good working order, echoing the days when Temple Bar’s gates could be physically closed to control entry into the City. The City of London Corporation supports the ceremony through heritage and cultural funding and it takes places in May each year.
Although it looks ancient, the ceremony itself is only a few years old — but it deliberately draws on Temple Bar’s long history as the City’s western ceremonial gateway.
Temple Bar, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the 1670s, once stood at the western end of Fleet Street. It marked the boundary between Westminster and the City of London. Traditionally, the Lord Mayor greeted the monarch here during royal processions.
The ceremony includes: Pikemen and Musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company; City livery company representatives in full ceremonial dress; and a theatrical inspection of the gateway. It a modern ritual that feels ancient, theatrical, and delightfully odd.
Is the 'Oiling of the Gates' ceremony a little unhinged? Judge for yourself.
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