Editing Inner Temple (section)

===The Knights Templar and the founding of the Inner Temple===
The history of the Inner Temple begins in the early years of the reign of [[Henry II of England|Henry II]] (1154–1189), when the contingent of [[Knights Templar]] in London moved from the Old Temple in [[Holborn]] to a new location on the banks of the [[River Thames]], stretching from [[Fleet Street]] to what is now [[Essex House (London)|Essex House]].<ref>Pearce (1848) p.213</ref> The original Temple covered much of what is now the northern part of [[Chancery Lane]] (originally New Street), which the Knights created to provide access to their new buildings. The old Temple eventually became the London palace of the Bishop of Lincoln. After the Reformation it became the home of the [[Earl of Southampton]], and the location is now named Southampton Buildings. The first group of lawyers came to live here during the 13th century, although as legal advisers to the Knights rather than as a society. The Knights fell out of favour, and the order was dissolved in 1312, with the land seized by the king and later granted to the [[Knights Hospitaller]]. The Hospitallers probably did not live on the property, but rather used it as a source of revenue through rent.<ref name=hist1>{{cite web |url=http://www.innertemplelibrary.org.uk/temple-history/inner-temple-history-introduction-part-1.htm |title=Inner Temple History – Introduction – Part I |last=Baker |first=John |publisher=Inner Temple |access-date=8 November 2009}}</ref>
The secular, common law lawyers migrated to the hamlet of [[Holborn]], as it was easy to get to the law courts at [[Westminster Hall]] and was just outside the City.<ref name=watt1>Watt (1928) p.133</ref>

Two groups occupied the Hospitaller land, and became known as the "inner inn" (occupying the consecrated buildings near the centre of the Temple) and the "middle inn" (occupying the unconsecrated buildings between the "inner inn" and the [[Outer Temple]]). These became the Inner Temple and the [[Middle Temple]], and were distinct societies by 1388, when they are mentioned in a [[Year Books|year book]].<ref name=hist1/> The Hospitallers leased the land to the Inner Temple for £10 a year, with students coming from [[Thavie's Inn]] to study there.<ref>Pearce (1848) p.214</ref>