The Public Record Office, Chancery Lane in the City of London, was the guardian of the national archives of the United Kingdom from 1838 until 2003, when it was merged with the Historical Manuscripts Commission to form The National Archives, based in Kew. It was under the control of the Master of the Rolls, a senior judge. The Public Record Office still exists as a legal entity, as the enabling legislation has not been modified.
Entrance of the Public Record Office on Chancery Lane, now the Maughan Library, King's College London
Surviving part of the Rolls Chapel, now the "Weston Room" of the Maughan Library, King's College London, viewed in 2013
The Kew building photographed in 2002, shortly before the name change to The National Archives
An original cell of the Public Record Office at the Maughan Library
Chancery Lane is a one-way street that forms part of the western boundary of the City of London. The east side of the street is entirely within the City, whilst the west side is in the City of Westminster south of Carey Street and the London Borough of Camden north of that street. The route originated as a 'new lane' created by the Knights Templar from their original 'old Temple' on the site of the present Southampton Buildings on Holborn, in order to access to their newly acquired property to the south of Fleet Street sometime before 1161.
Chancery Lane
The Maughan Library and its clock tower is situated on the eastern side of Chancery Lane, opposite The Law Society.
18th century advertisement for tobacco in Chancery Lane.
Chancery Lane is at the boundary of the City of London, the London Borough of Camden, and the City of Westminster, as visible in its different street signs
