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Baynards Castle and Faringdon within Wards in 1756 neatly engraved from a New Survey
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Index of London wards in 1756 by William Maitland
CHAP. XXII.
FARINGDON WARD Within.
With a Plan, neatly engraved from a New Survey.
Its Name. Bounds. Extent. Modern State. Government. Aldermen and Common Council
Parishes and Churches. Companies Halls.
St. Paul's School. College of Physicians. Christs Hospital. Black Friars.
Newgate. Ludgate. Antiquities.
The Name of this Ward, and of Faringdon without, which two Wards in ancient
Times had but one Alderman, and that not by Election, but by Inheritance or
Purchase, as more fully appears by the following Abstract of a Deed, is derived
from one of its Possessors.
" Thomas de Ardene, Sonne and Heire to Sir Ralph Ardene, Knt. granted to Ralphe
le Feure. Citizen of London, one of the Sheriffs in the Year 1277, all the
Aldermanrie, with the Appurtenances, within the City of London and Suburbs of
the same, between Ludgate and Newgate, and also without the same Gates ; which
Aldermanrie Ankerinus de Averne held during his Life, by the Grant of the said
Thomas de Ardene. To have and to hold unto the said Ralph, and to his Heires,
freely without all Challenge; yielding therefore yeerely to the said Thomas, and
his Heires, one Clove (or Slip) of Gillifowers, at the Feast of Easter, for all
secular Service and Custome, with Warrantie unto the said Ralph le Feure, and
his Heires, against all People, Christians and Jewes, in Consideration of 20
Markes, which the said Ralph le Feure did give before hand, in Name of a Gerfum
or Fine, to the said Thomas, &c."
"Dated the 5th of Edward I.
Witneffe, G. de Rokesley, Maior.
R. Arrar, one of the Sheriff es.
H. Wales,
P. Ie Taylor,
T. de Bassing,
J. Horn,
N. Blackthorn, Alderman of London."
After this, John le Feure, Son and Heir to the said Ralph le Feure, granted to
William Farendon, Citizen and Goldsmith of London, and to his Heirs, the said
Aldermanry, with the Appurtenances, for the Service thereunto belonging, in the
7th of Edward I. in the Year of Christ 1279. This Aldermanry descended to
Nicholas Farendon, Son to the said William, and to his Heirs. Which Nicholas
Farendon, also a Goldsmith, was four Times Mayor, and lived many Years after. He
made his Will 1361, which was fifty three Years after his first being Mayor and
was buried in St. Peter's Church in Cheap.
So this Ward continued under the Government of William Farendon, and Nicholas
his Son, the Space of fourscore and two Years, and retains their Name unto this
present Day.
The Addition of within is on Account of this Part of Farringdon Ward's lying
within the Walls of London, containing the ancient Wards of Newgate and Ludgate
in Distinction to the other Part, which was without the Walls, or the ancient
Ward Fori, both of them being purchased by William Farendon, as above. And this
Addition was given to each Part by Act of Parliament, when that large Possession
of the Farendons was divided into two Aldermanries to be governed by two
Aldermen.
This Ward is bounded on the East by Cheap Ward and Castle Baynard Ward, on the
North, by Aldersgate Ward, Cripplegate Ward, and the Liberty of St. Martin' s le
Grand ; on the West by Faringdon without, and on the South by Castle Baynard
Ward, and the River of Thames.
In taking its Extent, let us proceed from the East: It begins where the great
Cross stood in West cheap ; from thence it runs West, on the North Side where
the Parish Church of St. Peter stood, which was at the South West Corner of Wocd
street, to Gutter lane ; ' and down that Lane to Huggen lane on the East Side,
and to Kery lane on the West.
Then again into Cheapside, and to Foster lane, and down that Lane, on the East
Side, to the North Side of St. Foster's Church ; and on the West, till over
against the South West Corner of the said Church ; from thence down Forster lane
and Noble street, which is all of Aldersgate street Ward, till you come to the
Stone Wall on the West Side of Noble street, then by the said Wall, down to
Windsor house, or Nevil's Inn ; and down Monkswell street, on the West Side ;
and then by London wall to Cripplegate ; and the West Side of that same Gate is
all of Faringdon Ward.
Then back again into Cheapside; and from Fetter lane End, to St. Martin's End ;
and from thence through St. Nicholas Shambles by PenteCost lane, and Butchers
alley, and by Stinking lane, thro to Newgate market to Newgate. All which is the
North Side of Faringdon Ward.
Then on the South, from against the Place of the great Cross in Cheap, West from
Friday street ; and down that Street, on the East Side, till over against the
North East Corner of St Matthews Church ; and on the West Side, till the South
Corner of the said Church.
Then again along Cheap to the Old Exchange, and down that Lane, on the East
Side, to the Parish Church of St. Augustine ; which Church, and one house next
adjoining in Watling street, are of this Ward. And then on the West Side of this
Lane it ran to the East Arch or Gate by St. Augustine's Church, which entered
the South Church yard of St. Paul's, and which Arch was built by Nicholas
Farendon about the Year 1361; and within the Gate, all that was formerly called
the North Church yard was of this Ward.
Then again into Cheap, and from the North End of the Old Exchange West, where
the North Gate of St. Paul's Church yard stood, up Paternoster row, to within
about twelve Doors of Ave mary lane; the West Side of which Lane is of this
Ward.
Then at the South End of Ave mary lane is Creed lane, the West Side whereof is
also of this Ward.
Betwixt the South End of Ave mary lane, and the North End of Creed lane, was the
coming out of St. Paul's Church yard, on the East; and the High Street, called
Bowyer row, now Ludgate street, on the West, which goes to Ludgate, is of this
Ward ; on the North Side whereof is St. Martin's Church, and on the South the
Turning into Black friars.
Now to turn up again to the North End of Ave mary lane, there is a short Lane on
the West End of it, called Amen lane, or Amen corner.
Then on the North Side of Paternoster row, beginning where the Conduit stood,
over against the Old Exchange lane End, and going West by which stood St.
Michael's Church, at the West End of which was a small Passage thro' toward the
North, and at some small Distance another Passage, which is called Panier alley,
and comes out against St. Martin' s le Grand.
Then farther West, in Paternoster row, is Ivy lane, which runs North to where
stood the West End of St. Nicholas Shambles.
The West Side of Warwick lane is of this Ward ; but the East Side of that, of
Ave mary lane, and of Creed lane, with the West End of Paternoster rcw, are all
of Baynard's Castle Ward.
To begin again from the Place of the Conduit by the Old Exchange ; on the North
Side thereof was a large Street that ran up to Newgate, the first Part to the
Shambles, called Bladder street. On the Back side of the Shambles were many
Slaughter houses, and such like, belonging to the Shambles, and called Mount
godard street, Then were the Shambles, and then Newgate market, and so the whole
Street on both Sides up to Newgate, all of this Ward, which is the farthest
Extent of it.
Ludgate street is a Street of a very great Resort, both for all sorts of
Carriages, &c. through Ludgate towards Fleet street, and other Western Parts of
the City, and Westminster ; and from thence into the City : For which Reason it
enjoys a very great Trade, being taken up by considerable Dealers in Mercery,
&c. Towards the East it fronts the West End of St. Paul's.
Black friars hath a narrow Passage out of Ludgate street; but, turning by the
Backside of Ludgate Prison, it falleth into an open Place with very good
Buildings, well inhabited by Tradesmen. Which said Street runneth down
Southwards to the Thames : That Part by Apothecaries hall, and so downwards, is
called Water lane ; and hath a handsome Pair of Stairs to take Water at, where
Plenty of Watermen ply; And, in its Passage to the Water Side, takes in several
Courts and Yards :
As, Banister's court, which is but ordinary. Opposite to which is the house of
the Lady Fitch, Relict of Sir Thomas Fitch, Knt. and Baronet ; now, or late, the
Dwelling of Sir John de Laune ;
a good large and handsome Building, with a graceful Front towards the Thames.
Hugh 's court hath a Passage into Duke Humfreys, which falls into Puddle dock :
And out of Duke Humfreys is a Passage into Cloyster court, and so into Ireland
yard, which comes into Puddle dock hill : And in this Passage receives Jackfon's
court, Canterbury court, and Ireland yard, all Places of small Account. And out
of Ireland yard are Friars court and New street, both which are but ordinary,
and fall into Shoemakers row, which comes out of Black friars in the broad
Place, and falls into Creed lane, against Carter lane End. This Shoemakers row
is a Place of some Trade, and pretty well inhabited : And here are some small
Courts, as Cobs court, &c.
And out of this Row is Church entry, but narrow and ordinary, and falls into
Glass house yard, by St. Ann's Church. This is a pretty open Place, with good
Buildings, and better inhabited than most of the other Places ; and hath a Passage into Water lane.
The King's Printing house yard, so called from the King's Printing house, there
seated, a good convenient and large Building for that Use : The King's Printers
there printing Bibles in Volumes, also Proclamations, and what concerns the
publick Use. This house was burnt down about the Year 1742, but has been
rebuilt, and made the completest Printing house in the World.
The Scotch hall, a large house, seated as well in Water lane, as on the Ditch
side; made use of by Scotchmen on particular Occasions. In the Corner of Black
friars, by London wall, is Worley court, which is but small. And this hath a
Passage into the Ditch side, the East Side of which, all along to the Water
Side, is in this Parish ; and for the generality built with good houses, and
well inhabited.
Creed lane, formerly called Spurrier row, is much pestered with Carts and Carrs
to Puddle dock, and other Wharfs on the Water Side, which makes it to be not
over well inhabited.
The West Side is in this Ward, the East in Castle Baynard. Out of this Lane are
two Passages into Holiday Yard or Court, which is a pretty large Place, but of
no great Account :
And here are two Courts in it, and both bearing the same Name. This Lane comes
out of Ludgate street, against Ave mary lane, and falleth into Puddle dock hill
On the East Side of this Lane is Scollop court, indifferent good, with a Free
stone Passage into Carter lane against Puddle dock hill.
Ave mary lane hath good houses, many of which are inhabited by noted
Booksellers, Printers and Tradesmen. On the West Side is an open square Court,
with good houses, called Stationers rents. Out of which Court is a Passage into
Amen corner, and another into Stationers hall : close to this Hall is a Passage
through Cock alley into Ludgate street ; which Alley is but narrow at the
Entrance, but against the Hall it is good and airy, fronting the Hall.
Amen corner, short, but well built and inhabited, fronting Paternoster Row. At
the upper End was seated the College of Physicians, burned by the general Fire
of London. Since which, in that Place, are erected three fair houses, now the
Seats of the Residentiaries of St. Paul's.
Warwick lane runneth Northwards into Newgate street ; the West Side being in
this Ward, and the East in Castle Baynard. On the West Side are these Places :
Oxford arms Inn, very considerable, and well Resorted unto ; the Inn stands
backwards, and the Passage to it hath small houses on both Sides. Warwick court,
a very handsome, spacious and airy Square, with an open Passage for Coaches into
it ; is graced with very good large Buildings, and well inhabited by Persons of
Repute. On the East Side of this Lane, is White hart street, which gives a
Passage into Newgate market, inhabited by Poulterers, and such Trades whose
Dependence is on the Market.
Newgate street, well inhabited by good Tradesmen, comes out of Cheapside, and
Blowbladder street, and runs to Newgate, the City Goal for Malefactors.
Adjoining to this Prison, on the North Side, is Swan yard, a pretty long Court,
but ordinary. Phenix court, adjoining to Newgate, on the South Side, a good
handsome Place, with a Free stone Pavement, and good houses.
The Part of Newgate street, from Cheapside Conduit, a little above St. Martins
le Grand, unto the Shambles, was called Blowbladder street, from the Bladders
there sold in former Times.
The Butchers inhabiting in this Street had formerly their Slaughter houses in
Butchers hall lane, which was then called Stinking lane, from the Nastiness of
the Place ; but now it is kept pretty clean : And here the Company of Butchers
had their Hall. This Lane cometh out of Newgate street, and passing by Christ
church, into which it hath an Entrance, falls into Bull and Mouth street, which
leadeth to St. Martin' s le Grand : But this is in Aldersgate Ward.
Out of this Lane is another Passage into Angel street, an indifferent Place and
is but Part in this Ward. Over against Christ church, is Crow court, which is
but small. Near unto this Lane is the Bagnio, a neat contrived Building, after
the Turkish Mode, for that Purpose ; seated in a large handsome Yard, and at the
upper End of Pincock lane, which is indifferent well built and inhabited. This
Bagnio is much Resorted unto for Sweating, being found very good for Aches, &c.
and approved of by our Physicians.
On the North Side of the Shambles was Pentecost lane. Here was anciently a
Church and Churchyard, afterwards a large Square, and is now called Bull head
court ; which is pretty well inhabited and built.
Christ Churcb was consumed in the Conflagration of the City. And that Part
called The New Church, which was made use of before, is rebuilt very handsome,
at the Charges of the Parishioners of this Parish, and St. Leonard Foster lane,
which is united to it.
Adjoining to Christ Church and Hospital, is a Court, which retaineth the Name of
the Grey friers court ; a pretty large Place, having a Passage into the said
Hospital, and another into Newgate street. And this Hospital gives a Passage out
of Newgate street, through the Cloysters and Long walk, into St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, and so into Smithfield; being a great Thoroughfare all the Day long:
But at Night the Hospital Gates are shut up, at eight in the Winter, and ten in
the Summer, as well to this Passage, as the Town Ditch, which leadeth to Little
Britain.
Newgate market, before the late dreadful Fire of London, was kept in Newgate
street ; where there was a Market house only for Meat, and a middle Row of
Sheds, which afterwards were converted into houses, and inhabited by Butchers,
Tripe sellers, &c. And the Country People, which brought Provisions to the City,
were forced to stand with their Stalls in the open Street, to the Damage of
their Goods, and Danger of their Persons, by the Coaches, Carts, Horses, and
Cattle, that passed through the Street. But since the nominating of convenient
Places in the City for publick Markets, by Act of Parliament, which appoints the
Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commoners, to appoint proper Places, they have found
out a most convenient Place for this Market, and near adjoining, being situate
between Newgate street on the North, and Paternoster row on the South, and
between Warwick lane on the West, and Ivy lane on the East. The greatest Part of
which Market is in this Ward, and the other Part in Castle Baynard Ward.
The Market place is a square Piece of Ground, which is incompassed with fair
houses, built according to the second Rate of Building. In the middle of the
Market place, which is 148 Foot broad from North to South, and 194 Foot long
from East to West, there is erected a spacious Market house, in Form of a Cross,
standing upon twenty four Pillars or Columns, and ascended up into the Market
house, by two or three broad Stone Steps at all the Entrances.
Under this Market house are Vaults or Cellars, and over it several Rooms, for
the Stowage of the Fruiterers, and other Goods, in the Night; and over all a
fair Cupola, or Bell tower. This Market house is made use of for Fruit, Herbs,
&c. And round about it, at a convenient Distance, are Stalls for Butchers, as
are Stalls also, by the Sides of the houses, for Butchers and Poulterers. This
Market is very well served with all Sorts of Butchers Meat, and Poulterers Ware
; also with Fruit, Herbs, Butter, Eggs, &c. The Passages into this Market are,
out of Newgate street, through Rose street, which is broad, but short ; well
built, and inhabited by Butchers and Fishmongers : Another out of Warwick lane,
through White hart street, but short also, inhabited by the like Tradesmen :
Another out of Paternoster row, through a short Alley : And two others out of
Ivy lane.
More Eastward from this Market, and in Newgate street is Swan alley, which is
but ordinary. Three cup court, pretty small; at the upper End of which is a
Passage into Paternoster row, through the Kings arms Tavern. Kings head court,
Very small.
Paternoster row, This Street, before the Fire of London, was taken up by eminent
Mercers, Silk men, and Lace men ; and their Shops were so Resorted unto by the
Nobility and Gentry, in their Coaches, that oft times the Street was so stopped
up, that there was no Passage for Foot Passengers. But, since the said Fire,
those eminent Tradesmen have settled themselves in several other Parts,
especially in Ludgate street, and in Bedford street , Henrietta street, and King
street, Covent garden. And the Inhabitants in this Street are now a Mixture of
Trades People, such as Tire Women, or Milliners, for the Sale of Topknots, and
the like Dressings for the Females. There are now many Shops of Mercers, Silk
men, eminent Printers, Booksellers and Publishers.
This Street begins East at Cheapside, and runneth up to Amen corner, from which
it is severed by Warwick lane and Ave mary lane. This Street hath a Passage into
these Places: On the South Side, a small Alley which leads to the West End of
St. Paul's, through London house yard; where formerly the Bishops of London had
their house or Palace. Pauls alley, a Place of small Trade, and very narrow, and
falleth on the North Side of St. Pauls, and about the middle divideth itself
into two Parts, the one running strait South, and the other Westwards.
On the East Side is a Passage into Petty canons alley, indifferent large, and
now converted into Buildings ; having at the upper Part or End a Passage into
Paul's Churchyard, near Petty canons alley, which is a good open Place, with a
Free stone Pavement, leading into Paternoster row.
Then on the North Side of this Paternoster row, next to Warwick lane, is Mermaid
court, a pretty handsome Place, with a Free stone Pavement. Next is the Passage
into Newgate market.
Ivy lane is well built and inhabited, and falleth into Newgate street, having
two Passages into Newgate market, as aforesaid ; and on the East Side is Sun
court, which is but small.
Lovel's court is a handsome large Place, with good Buildings, well inhabited.
Queens head alley, so called from the Queens head Tavern, there seated in an open, square
Court, from which it hath a long Passage into Newgate street. Pannier alley,
near unto Cheapside ; it leads into Blow
bladder street, and is said to be the highest Ground within the City Walls ;
wherein is a Stone Pedestal supporting a Pannier, with the Figure of a Boy
thereon, and this Inscription :
" When you have fought the City round,
Yet still this is the highest Ground."
On the West Side of this Alley is Eagle and child court, which is but small.
A little Eastward from Pannier alley, Blow bladder street and Paternoster row,
like two Rivulets, joining into one, fall into Cheapside; and just here,
fronting Cheapside, stood the Parish Church of St. Michael's Quern, which, since
the great Fire of London, whereby it was consumed, is not rebuilt, but the
Parish is united to St. Vedast, alias Fosters.
This Street of Cheapside is spacious and large, graced with very lofty
Buildings, which are well inhabited by Goldsmiths, Linen Drapers, Haberdashers,
Druggists, and other noted Tradesmen, being the chief high Street in the City,
and of a very great Resort, as leading to and from the Royal Exchange to all
Parts Westward. This Street is seated in several Wards ; as, the Part in this
Ward goeth to Wood street, taking in St. Peters Cheap Church yard ; then
Cripplegate Ward begins, which goeth to Milk street ; then Cheap Ward begins,
which taketh in the rest of the Street to the Poultry : And, on the South Side,
this Ward runneth a little beyond Friday street ; then Bread street Ward begins,
and runs almost to St. Mary le Bow Church ; and a little beyond the said Church
Cheap Ward begins, and runs into the Poultry, and down Bucklersbury.
Foster lane is well built for Business, and, for the Generality, inhabited by
Working Goldsmiths.
There is but a very small Part of this Lane in this Ward, not above two houses
beyond the Church. And to this Ward belongs the West Side of Noble street, in
Part, and Monkwell or Mugwell street, and the North Side of Hart street unto
Cripplegate; which is a narrow Slip of Ground, and apart from the rest of the
Ward ; the ether Sides being on Cripplegate Ward, and joining to the said Ward.
Near unto this Lane, in Cheapside, is Half moon alley, but small ; at the upper
End of which is a Tavern, which gives a Passage into Foster lane, and another
into Gutter lane.
Gutter lane, narrow, and inhabited chiefly by Engravers, and others who work for
Silversmiths.
Here the Company of Embroiderers have their Hall. In this Lane are these Places
: Day's court, on the East Side, indifferent good. Goldsmiths street leadeth to
Wood street, against the Compter, indifferent good, but of this Street the
greatest Part is in Cripplegate Ward. Dove court, but small and ordinary, seated
on the West Side against Goldsmiths street. Innholders hall, a pretty, handsome
Building. King' s head court, a pretty, square Place, seated against Innholders
hall. Near unto this is Stone court, but small. More Northwards, and on the West
Side, is Kery lane, a pretty handsome Place, and of some Trade, a Passage into
Foster lane ; but little or no Part is in this Ward, but in Aldersgate Ward.
Wood street hath but a small Part in this Ward, only the West Side, taking in
the Church yard of St. Peters Cheap ; the Church not being rebuilt St. Peters
since the great Fire, and the Parish united to that of St. Matthew Friday
street.
Friday street, as far as the Church of St. Matthew Friday street, is in this
Ward, the rest in Bread street Ward.
By this Church is a Free stone Passage, which leads to the back Door of the
Fountain Tavern in Cheapside.
Betwixt Friday street and the Old Change is Star court, a pretty large Place.
Then Shepherds court, very handsome, well built, and inhabited.
The Old Change. This Street begins in Cheapside, and falls into Old Fish street
; but the Part in this Ward goeth but to St. Austins Church ; and then the West
Side, unto Old Fish street, is in Castle Baynard Ward; and, on the East Side, in
Bread street Ward.
This Street, taken from Cheapside to Old Fish street, is of a pretty good Trade,
well built and inhabited. The Courts and Alleys, beginning next Cheapside, and
so to the Old Change, are, Swan court, but small, having a Passage through a
Publick house, called the Swan, into St. Pauls Church yard. Green dragon court,
indifferent good. Three dagger court, but small. Purse court, a very handsome,
square Place, with good Buildings, and Inhabitants answerable, with a Free stone
Pavement. Lamb alley, long and ordinary. Crane court, a good handsome lace.
Crown court, very good, the front Part taken up by a Painter, seated Opposite to
Distaff lane. Black horse court, narrow and ordinary. Phoenix court and Ginger
bread court, both small and ordinary.
Passing out of this Street through St Austins gate, (which Name it retaineth,
although the Gate, since the Fire of London, is not built, but lieth open) you
enter into St. Paul's Church yard, a spacious Place, and on all Sides begirt
with very good Buildings, inhabited by great Traders; the East and South Sides
generally by Cabinet and Chair makers, Woollen drapers, &c. Part of the East
Side is taken up by St. Paul's School. St. Paul
The North Side, which is the most spacious, is taken up by Booksellers,
Opticians, Goldsmiths, Toyshops, &c. And the West Side fronteth Ludgate street,
where it is very spacious, and hath a very beautiful Prospect from St. Paul's.
There are to watch in the several Stands in this Ward, every Night, one
Constable, a Beadle, and forty Watchmen.
The Jury returned by the Inquest for this Ward are to serve in the several
Courts holden in the Guildhall in the Month of September.
It hath an Alderman, his Deputy, twelve Common Councilmen, seventeen Constables,
eighteen Scavengers, eighteen Wardmote Inquest men, and a Beadle ; and is taxed
to the Fifteenth
in London at fifty Pounds, and in the Exchequer at fifty three Pounds six
Shillings and eight Pence.
As the Bounds of this Ward are very extensive, we meet with a great Variety of
Things therein worthy of our Attention.
Firstly, There is the Metropolitan Church or Cathedral of St. Paul's: The
Parishes and Churches (1) St Vedast in Foster lane
(2) Christ Church in Newgate
street,
(3.) St. Augustine's,
(4.) St. Martin's near Ludgate,
(5.) St. Matthew's
Friday street,
(6.) St. Annes Black friars;
and the Parishes of
(1.) St. Peters Cheap
(2.) St. Faiths
(3.) St. Michael's Querne : Of which particularly in our Parochial History.
(3.) The Grey friars within Newgate, and St. Bartholomew's Hospital, belonging
anciently to the Priory of St. Bartholomew's hard by, together With St. Nicholas
and St. Ewen, two neighbouring Parishes, were obtained by the City of King Henry
VIII. in the 38th Year of his Reign ; all which that King granted to the City
for the Relieving and Succouring of their Poor, one of the last good Acts that
King did before his Death : And in the beginning of January, in the latter End
of which Month King Henry died, Ridley, Bishop of Rochester, declared, at St.
Paul's Cross, this Gift of the King before the People, and his charitable End
therein.
The King did, in the same Year, grant the City the Hospital of Bethlehem, or
Bedlam. He also then founded two Churches out of those two religious houses, the
one to be called Christ church out of the Grey friars, and the other, Little St.
Bartholomew's, out of the Hospital of that Name, with competent Salaries for the
respective Vicars and Ministers.
And, as the King had founded Churches on these Places, so, according to that his
Grant, it lay upon the City to establish here a standing Provision for the Poor.
And, accordingly, some Part of the Scite of the Grey friars they purposed for a
large Hospital for poor fatherless Children, here to be decently maintained, and
piously brought up, and fitted for Trades and Callings : But it was not before
five or six Years after the King's Grant, viz. Anno 1552, the Lord Mayor and
Citizens fell upon the Reparation Fitting up of the Friars for the Reception of
the Children : And they effected it the same Year, and called it Christ church
Hospital ; so that in the Month of September they took in near 400 Orphans, and
cloathed them in Ruffet ; but ever after they wore blue Cloth Coats ; whence it
is commonly called, The Blue coat Hospital : Their Habit being, now, a long Coat
of blue warm Cloth, close to the Arms and the Body, hanging loose to their
Heels, girt about their Waist with a red Leather Girdle, buckled, a loose
Petticoat, underneath, of yellow Cloth, (of late Years the Boys are allowed
Breeches) a round thrum Cap, tied with a red Band, yellow Stockings, and black
low heeled Shoes, their Hair cut close, their Locks short.
In the Year 1552, began the preparing of the Grey friars house, for the poor
fatherless Children ; and, in the Month of November, the Children were taken
into the same, to the Number of almost four hundred. On Christmas day, in the
Afternoon, while the Lord Mayor and Aldermen rode to St. Paul's, the Children ot
Christ's Hospital stood from St. Laurence's lane End in Cheap, towards St.
Paul's, all in one Livery of ruffet Cotton, three hundred and forty in Number ;
and the Easter following they were in Blue, and so have continued ever since.
The Antiquities of this Ward, which have come to our Knowledge, were,
(1.) An Arch or Gate in the narrow Gut or Passage into the South East End of St.
Paul's Church yard called St. Augustine's Gate, because adjoining to St.
Augustine's Church and built by Nicholas Farendon, Alderman of the Ward, in
1361. As also another Arch or Gate into the said Church yard from Cheapside, on
the North End of the Old Change.
(2.) The great Cross in West Cheap street, erected by King Edward I. as noted
before in Cheap Ward.
(3.) In Silver street, at the South End of Monkswell street, there stood Lord
Windsor's house in 1603 , it was built of Stone and Timber, and was in ancient
Days called Nevels Inn, belonging to the Nevels. In the 19th of Richard II. it
was found, by Inquisition of a Jury, that Elizabeth Nevel died seized of a great
Messuage in the Parish of St. Olave in Monkswell street in London, holder, of
the King in free Burgage, which she held of the Gift of John Nevel, of Raby, her
Husband ; and that John Latimer was next Son and Heir to the said Elizabeth.
This house was called Nevel' s Inn, and possessed by that noble Family until the
Time of Henry VI. in the 4th of whose Reign Rafe Nevel, Earl of Westmoreland,
died, seized of that Messuage in the Parish of St. Olave, in Farringdon Ward,
London, and the Heirs Male of his Body, begotten on Jane , his Wife, and of
another Messuage, called Le Erbor, in Dowgate Ward ; both held in Burgage, as
the City of London was held.
(4.) St. James's Hermitage in the Wall. See before Lamb's Chapel.
(5.) There was, of old Times, a proper Parish Church of St. Nicholas, whereof
the Flesh market in Newgate street took the Name, and was called St. Nicholas
Shambles, situate at the South East Corner of Butcher hall lane.
There was anciently a Lane or Passage from a Vedast lane; now Fetter lane to
Great St. Martin's Church on one Part, and to this Church of St. Nicholas
Shambles on the other ; but one William de Luda, some Time Dean of St. Martin',
stopped it up : Whereupon, at an Inquisition made in Edward IId's Reign, for
Purprestures and Annoyances in the City, the King's Justices sitting at the
Tower, the Jury presented this, and that it was to the Damage of the King and
the Commonalty of the City : But Richard de Ellesfield, then Dean of St.
Martin's, came in and shewed, that he held the said Lane stopped up by Virtue of
a
Licence from King Edward I. and that by Letters Patents which he produced.
This Church with the Tenements and Ornaments, was, by Henry VIII. given to the
Mayor and Commonalty of the City towards the Maintenance of the new Parish
Church, then to be erected in the late dissolved Church of the Grey friars ; so
was this Church dissolved and pulled down : In Place whereof, and of the Church
yard, many fair houses are now built, in a Court, in the Midst whereof the
Church stood.
(6.) Near to the North West Corner of Newgate street stood a Convent and Church
of Grey friars, or Friars minors.
The first of this Order of Friars in England, nine in Number, arrived at Dover,
out of Italy, in the Year 1224, the 8th Year of the Reign of King Henry III.
being of the Order of the Franciscans, or Friars minors : Five of them, being
Priests, remained at Canterbury ; the other four, being Laymen, came to London,
and were lodged at the Preaching friars in Holborn for the Space of fifteen Days
: And then they hired a house in Cornhill of John Trevers, one of the Sheriffs
of London. They built there little Cells, wherein they inhabited : But, shortly
after, the Devotion of the Citizens towards them, and the Number of the Friars
so increased, that they were by the Citizens removed to a Place in St. Nicholas
Shambles, which John Ewin, Mercer, purchasing a void Piece of Ground,
appropriated unto the Commonalty, to the Use of these said Friars, and himself
became a Lay brother Amongst them about the Year 1225.
And Last updated on: Wednesday, 02-Oct-2024 12:13:03 BST
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