The Customs in London

The first Custom House was built around 1275 to collect the dues for Edward’s Great Custom. It was replaced by a larger building in 1378. In 1559 it had to be rebuilt after a fire. This building perished in the Great Fire of 1666. Like so much of the City, it was rebuilt by Christopher Wren. Wren’s fine building did not last long. In 1714 it was severely damaged by a nearby explosion.

It was rebuilt between 1715 and 1727 by Thomas Ripley, who reused Wren’s foundations. Ripley’s building contained the famous Long Room, which is the most important – and the most striking – part of the Custom House.

All paperwork regarding duties payable on cargoes was taken to the Customs officials there. This was a complicated business. When there were almost 2000 dutiable goods, and ships carried many different goods, calculating the necessary duties for each vessel was an immense task.

After all the calculations were completed and the dues paid, the Long Room officials would issue the necessary receipts. Only then could the goods be unloaded. The Custom House in the City was convenient for shipping. Once the docks were built, the Customs Service set up posts at each of the major docks.

Exercise 18. Complete the sentences.

1. The first Custom House was built _______.

2. This building perished in ________.

3. Christopher Wren’s building was severely damaged _________.

4. Thomas Ripley’s building contained __________.

5. The Custom House in the City was convenient for _________.

Exercise 19. Fill in the gaps using the words from the box:

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