The manor, enjoying the status of a liberty, comprised the precinct of the Savoy, the southern half and detached south-west of the parish of St Clement Danes and about three quarters of St Mary le Strand as it only, in a tiny part, extended north of Strand whereas those parishes straddled this ancient road.

[2] The hospital was purchased by Queen Eleanor who gave the site to her second son, Edmund, Earl of Lancaster.

[notes 1][3] This meant the area was ruled by hereditary noblemen possessing special authority and autonomy from the rest of the Kingdom of England.

As a consequence, someone being pursued for a debt in London could reside in the Savoy without fear of arrest by people acting under the authority of The Crown.

These circumstances have been used in historical fiction, such as the Aubrey-Maturin novels by Patrick O'Brian or John Pearce series by David Donachie.

[4] The liberty of the Savoy was part of Middlesex, and those connected with it eligible to vote at parliamentary elections were electors for the seats of Westminster.