St Nicholas Shambles

St Nicholas Shambles was a medieval church in the City of London located at the junction of Butcher Hall Lane and Newgate Street. The building served the local community until it was demolished in the mid-16th century.

The church was founded in 1196 and received indulgences from the Bishop of Worcester in 1253 for its parishioners. It remained an important religious site for over three centuries before being dissolved during the Reformation era.

The parish connected closely with the butchering trade that gave the area its name, serving merchants and craftspeople of the neighborhood. Historical records show how this place functioned as a gathering point for local workers and their families.

The site was later developed with the BT Centre, so no standing structures remain to visit today. However, archaeological excavations between 1975 and 1979 uncovered foundations and artifacts that reveal how the church was constructed and used.

Excavations revealed the remains of a woman who died during childbirth, offering rare insights into medieval burial practices and medical conditions. Such discoveries show how archaeologists can identify health conditions and causes of death from skeletal remains.