Edward Jenner Heritage Trail -
Location 4
White Hart Court, 6 & 8 High Street
Jenner would have been familiar with this former coaching inn, and was likely the place where he began his journey to London in 1770 to begin his medical training at St George’s Hospital. It is now known as the White Hart Court. It is possibly on the site of an ancient inn or wine tavern which had a garden which was held by the Monastry of St John of Jerusalem, dating back to around 1640.
In the rear cobbled courtyard visitors can still see the architecture which served as stables and storage for horses, fodder, and tack. Although it was not on the inter-city mail routes there would have been a constant demand for transport by horse or carriage for connections to the main stagecoach stops or to other parts of the county and surrounding area.
This part of the High Street and the adjoining buildings are amongst the oldest in Berkeley. Both of Jenner's brother’s houses were further down High Street, where he lived for some time with Henry Jenner. This and The Chantry, his home for 38 years, are all within walking distance.
At the rear of White Hart Court were premises (above what is now Tomato Jack Arts) which came to be used as a Masonic Lodge; set up by Henry Jenner, and of which Edward Jenner served as "Worshipful Master of the Royal Lodge of Faith and Friendship No. 270" in 1812. This Lodge was visited regularly by the Prince of Wales who later became King George IV, giving it it’s Royal charter - the only Masonic Lodge to have this honour (others have the word royal in their name only due to their location).
The Lodge moved to its current meeting room at the Berkeley Arms 150 years ago. This was where a "Science Select Lodge" was held, organised by Jenner, where lodge members had to produce a paper on a specific scientific subject; this Science Select Lodge was reminiscent of the Lunar Society meetings’ (Harrison 2010). Here intellectuals and ordinary men would meet to discuss how science and technology could be made to serve the good of all resulting in such inventions as the condensing and rotary steam engine.
The Royal Lodge of Faith and Friendship continued to celebrate the life and work of Edward Jenner after his death in 1823. The Lodge emblem, used to this day, commemorates the gift to Jenner of a Wampum belt by the Five Nations of North America after Jenner personally sent them vaccine material, along with a copy of his work on vaccination. Jenner wore this belt over the front of his apron at the last Masonic meeting he attended.
It is rumoured that the small windowpane in the black door was originally a peep hole which would be opened to verify that any visitor was a Member of the Lodge.
Return to the High Street and turn right. Walk downhill to number 42 High Street which is on the right. You can click the QR code on the Plaque or click here for information on Location 6.