Staple Inn is the last of the four inns of Chancery. The half timbered building has survived the great fire of London, bombing during the second world war and the general building decay during the 19th century that saw the other three inns demolished.The earliest documented reference of this site is in 1292 as Staple Halle, most likely a covered market. "Staple" refers to the taxes introduced in 1275 as a levy paid by foreign buyers of wool.
Staple Inn became the home for a society of lawyers and students of law from 1415, and has remained in the service of the legal profession ever since.
