This famous place of which all the world has heard, and so many seen, and which rules the price of vegetables, fruit and floral products over so large a part of Europe, was part of a monastery, the convent garden, and was given to the Earl of Bedford by Henry VIII. Charles I. gave a charter to the then Earl of Bedford to hold a market in the Covent garden fields. In 1810 Parliament granted further privileges, which established the market as it is now. In 1828 the Duke of Bedford put up the buildings as they now exist. Tolls are collected oh everything that comes to the market, and thus an enormous income accrues to the Duke.