The chief glory of the borough is the grand church of the Augustinian Priory of St. Mary Overy, dating from the beginning of the twelfth century, and now known as St. Saviour’s.
Southwark has been from the earliest times the chief thoroughfare to and from London and the southern
counties and towns, and the cities of the Continent. From this cause it was for centuries the quarter for famous old inns, beginning in order of importance with the Bear at the Bridge Foot, the Tabard of Chaucer, and following on with the King’s Head, the White Hart, and the George—a portion of the latter hostelry only remaining to the present day.