Clark's Court - Clockers Alley

A Dictionary of London. Originally published by H Jenkins LTD, London, 1918.

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'Clark's Court - Clockers Alley', in A Dictionary of London, (London, 1918) pp. . British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/dictionary-of-london/clarks-court-clockers-alley [accessed 18 March 2024]

In this section

Clark's Court

See Pump Yard, Gravel Lane.

Clarks' Hall

On the east side of Bishopsgate, in Bishopsgate Ward (Within), "was a fayre entrie or Court to the common hall of the saide Parish Clarkes" (S. 172).

There was an Almsroom in Clark's Hall near Bishopsgate in 1630 (L. and P. Chas. I. Dom. S. IV. p. 169).

Called "Round Court" in 1672 (End. Ch. Rep. St. Ethelburga, 1903, p. 3).

See Parish Clark's Hall.

Rebuilt as offices and chambers, etc.

Clark's Place

East out of Bishopsgate at No. 86 (P.O. Directory). In Bishopsgate Ward (Within).

First mention : O.S. 1848-51.

Former names : "Clark's Alley," and See Wrestlers Court, 1666 (L. and P. Chas. II. 1666-7, p. 121-Boyle, 1799). "Clark's Court" (Lockie, 1816-Elmes, 1831).

In 1598 Stow describes it as a fair entrie or court to the common hall of the Parish clerks (S. p. 132).

There was an Almshouse there for the Parish Clerks and their wives and widows (S. ib. 1583, L. and P. Ed. VI. etc., D.S. I. 127).

A passage into Camomile Street (Hatton, 1708).

Called "Clerk's Alley" or "South sea clerk's Alley" (P.C. 1732).

Named after the Parish Clerks' Hall there (q.v.).

Clement (St.) Eastcheap Churchyard

On the east side of the church, "Graveyard disused" (O.S. 1880).

It is shown in O. and M. 1677, the church not being then rebuilt.

In 1585 certain messuages, comprising nine chambers, a study and a cloister adjoining each other and abutting on the churchyard at the east end of the church were demised for the use of the parson and parish (End. Ch. St. Clement parish, 1903, p. 3). In 1830 the premises formed one house in Clement's Lane in the churchyard (ib.).

Clement (St.), Candlewick Street

See Clement (St.) Eastcheap.

Clement (St.), Eastcheap

On the east side of Clement's Lane at No. 27 (P.O. Directory). In Candlewick Ward. The parish extends into Langbourne and Bridge Within Wards.

Earliest mention : "St. Clement Candlewickstrate," 27 H. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 2138).

In a confirmation of grants to Westminster Abbey by William 1., 1067, mention is made of the church of St. Clement unjustly usurped by Ha 4 mo dapifer, but now restored (Cott. Ch. vi. 3, B.M.).

Probably refers to St. Clement Eastcheap.

Forms of name : "St. Clement by Kandelwrithtestrete" (temp. H. III. Anc. Deeds, A. 2044). "St. Clement in Candlewystrate," 1280-1 (Ct. H.W. I. 51). "St. Clement in Kandelwycstt" 1285 (MSS. D. and C. St.Paul's Lib. L. ff. 115-18). "St. Clement in Candelwer3tstrete," 1298-9 (Ct. H.W. I. p. 139). "St.Clement de Estchepe," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 229). "St. Clement the Little by Estchepe," 1362 (Cal. P.R. Ed. III. 1361-4, p. 180). "St. Clement in Lumbard stret" (Arnold's Chronicle, p. 77). Chapel of St. Mary in the Church, 1349 (Ct. H.W. I. 551).

Repaired and beautified 1632. Burnt in the Fire and rebuilt in 1686 by Sir C. Wren, and the parish of St. Martin Orgar united to it (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii. 183, 190).

A Rectory. Patron : before the dissolution of the monasteries, the Abbot of Westminster, now the Bishop of London, who presents alternately with the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's for St. Martin Orgar.

The dedication to St. Clement is unusual in London, as there is only one other church dedicated to this saint, namely St. Clement Danes, Westminster.

Clement (St.), Lombard Street

See Clement (St.) Eastcheap.

Clement's (St.) Street

See Clement's Lane.

Clement's Court

West out of Milk Street, south of Gresham Street and leading into Wood Street at No. 12. In Cripplegate Ward Within (P.O. Directory).

First mention : "St. Clements Court" (O. and M. 1677).

The western end in this map and as late as 1755 was called "Fryer Court" or "Fryar Alley."

Clement's Lane

South out of Lombard Street at No. 28 to 72 King William Street (P.O. Directory).

First mention : Lockie, 1810.

Former names : "St. Clement's Lane," 1282 (Ct. H.W. I. 58). "St. Clement's Street," temp. H. III. (Ane. Deeds, A. 2271). "Street of S. Clement," 1361 (Ct. H.W. II. 28).

Until early in the 19th century it extended south as far as Cannon Street, but the southern end was removed for the formation of King William Street soon after 1831.

Named after the church of St. Clement Eastcheap.

Roman walls found at a depth of 12-15 ft. and tessellated pavements. The walls were 3 ft. thick, composed of flints, etc.

Clement's Place

North out of Lamb Alley to Smith's Buildings. In Bishopsgate Ward Without (O.S. 1875-80). Seems to be shown but not named in O.S. 1848-51.

The site is now occupied by Liverpool Street Station.

Clerks (Parish)

See Parish Clerks.

Clerks' Hall

See Parish Clerks' Hall.

Clifford's Inn Gardens

See Clifford's Inn.

Clifford's Inn Lane

See Clifford's Inn Passage.

Clifford's Inn Passage

North out of Fleet Street at No. 187 on the west side of St. Dunstan's Church (P.O. Directory). In Farringdon Ward Without.

First mention : Boyle, 1799.

Former name : "Clifford's Inn Lane" (O. and M. 1677-L. Guide, 1758).

Clifford's Inn, Fleet Street

On the west side of Fetter Lane, north of St. Dunstan's, Fleet Street (P.O. Directory). In Farringdon Ward Without.

One of the Inns of Chancery.

First mention : Inn (hospitium) of Clyfford by the Church of St. Dunstan Fletestrete, 19 Ed. III. (Cal. P.R. Ed. III. 1345-8, p. 26).

It consisted of a messuage and garden given by Ed. II. to Robert de Clifford, 10 Ed. II. (Ch. I. p.m. 10 Ed. II. (3)). It seems to have remained in the possession of the Clifford family until the 15th century (Cal. P.R. Ed. IV. 1467-77, p. 93).

Stow says it was let by Isabel, wife of Robert Clifford, to students of the law (S. 395), and in 1345 we find it in the custody of David de Wollonere, king's clerk (Cal. P.R. Ed. III. 1345-8, p. 26).

The freehold was acquired by the Society in the 15th century. Hall repaired and beautified between 1720-55. The gardens were railed in and planted with trees early in the 18th century (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 276).

Now let as chambers, etc.

Cloak Lane

West out of Dowgate Hill to 66 Queen Street (P.O. Directory). In Walbrook, Dowgate, and Vintry Wards.

First mention : O. and M. 1677.

Former name : "Horshew bridge street " (S. 230).

So called, as Stow says, of Horseshoe bridge over the Waibrook (q.v.), now vaulted over (ib. 241).

In the earlier maps with the exception of Strype, Cloak Lane was shorter and only extended west to Tower Royal, its western continuation being known as St. Thomas Apostle. In Strype it did not extend so far west as Tower Royal.

In Lockie's Topography, 1810, it is described as of similar extent to that shown in the maps, but before 1831 it had absorbed that part of St. Thomas Apostle which had extended from Tower Royal to Queen Street. Widened 1884.

Elmes suggests the derivation of the name from "cloaca," a sewer which anciently ran along it from Queen Street into the Walbrook. But as the name is of comparatively modern origin, probably after the Fire, this does not seem to be an altogether satisfactory derivation./Piles in the bed of the Walbrook were found here in 1905.

Clock and Wheatsheaf Alley, Court

South-west out of Houndsditch. In Portsoken Ward (Boyle, 1799).

Former names : "Clockers Alley" (O. and M. 1677). "Cock and Wheatsheaf Alley" (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii. 27, and in 1755 ed.).

Seems to have been removed and the site rebuilt towards the end of the 18th century.

Clockers Alley

See Clock and Wheatsheaf Alley, Court.