Nixon's Square - Northumberland Mews

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

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'Nixon's Square - Northumberland Mews', in A Dictionary of London, (London, 1918) pp. . British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/dictionary-of-london/nixons-square-northumberland-mews [accessed 19 March 2024]

In this section

Nixon's Square

At the north end of Goldsmith's Alley and Bull Head Court, Jewin Street, in Cripplegate Ward Without (Rocque, 1746-Elmes, 1831).

A very mean little Square" (Dodsley, 1761). Site now occupied by Jewin Crescent. Named after the owner or builder.

Noble Street

North out of Gresham Street, at No. 17, to Falcon Square (P.O Directory). In Aldersgate Ward and Farringdon Ward Within.

First mention : On a tradesman's token, 1659 (Burn, 140).

Shown in Leake, 1666.

In a deed of 1271 " Seint uastes lane " is described as vicum qui ducit versus 'Aldridesgate' " (D. and C. St. Paul's, Press A. Box 12, 1128). Perhaps in early times Foster Lane extended further north than at present and included the present Noble Street

It may have been renamed "Noble" Street after an owner or builder.

Nofolk House

No. 7 Laurence Pountney Hill. Occupied as extensive offices and chambers (P.O. Directory).

Nomanneslonde, Nomansland

Mentioned in the will of John Scorfeyn, who left money for the repair of the highway between "Nomanneslonde" and Iseldon, 1390-1 (Ct. H.W. II. 283).

The street leading from Aldrichegate to "Nomanslond" near to the Carthusian Piiory is referred to, 11 H. IV., in Cal. L. Bk. I. p.82.

Stow tells us that the original piece of ground named Pardon Churchyard near the Charterhouse, purchased in 1348 for the burial of persons who died of the plague, was at the time of its purchase known as " No mans land," and this would seem to be the piece of ground referred to in the records above quoted.

It is interesting to note in this connection that in Domesday Book, in the portion relating to Middlesex, it is recorded that in Osvlestane Hundred, King William held 12 1/2 acres of " nanesmaneslande" worth 5s., and that King Edward had the land in like manner.

It seems not unlikely that this may be the same piece of land as that purchased for the churchyard in the 14th century.

Nonesuch Court, Gracechurch Street

See Holden's Court.

Nonne Alley

Tenements in Nunne Alley in parish of St. Christopher next the Stockes, 3 Eliz. (1561) (Lend. I. p.m. I. 217).

Legacies to the poor in Nonne Alley, 1578 (Ct. H.W. II. 693).

Qy. =Three Nunnes Alley (q.v.).

Nonsuch House

On the seventh and eighth arches from the Southwark end of Old London Bridge. Perhaps the most beautiful and highly decorated of the houses there.

Said to have been made in Holland and set up on the Bridge by means of screws, no hammers, etc., being employed in its erection.

Removed with the other houses in the 18th century.

Norfolk'. (Duke of) Place

Capital messuage of John Cooke, called the "Duke of Norfolkes place," and other messuages at Broken Wharf, in the parish of St. Mary Somerset, given by John Cooke to the Mayor and Commonalty (1543-4).

It belonged formerly to Sir Richard Gresham, who purchased it of Thomas, Duke of Norfolk (Ct. H.W. II. .648).

Norhampton Inn

Inn in the Ropery called "Norhampton's In" with the "brode yates" with the shops annexed late of John Norhampton, and of a tenement in the Ropery called "le Brewehous de la Crosse" in parish of All Hallows the Great, 8 Rich. II. 1384 (Cal. P.R. Rich. II. 1381-5, p.463). This house was described as in Goverslane (=Cross Lane) in 1385 (ib. 562). This was the inn or dwelling house of John de Norhampton, Sheriff 1376-7 and Alderman of Cordwainer Ward 1375-7, Mayor 1381-3 and Alderman of Dowgate Ward 1382-3.

North Alley

Jn Basinghall Street (P.C. 1732).

Not named in the maps.

North Buildings

In Eldon Street, Finsbury (L.C.C. List, 1901).

Not named in the maps.

North Court

Out of St. John's Court, Smithfield (Wheatley).

So named after John North, uncle of Sir Dudley North.

Described as "a fair court, making three sides of a square."

North London Railway

North from Liverpool Street along the western boundary of Bishopsgate Ward Without to the northern boundary.

Line shown first in O.S. 1880.

The formation of the line and of Broad Street Station involved the demolition of many streets, courts and alleys, as Brown's Court, Angel Alley; Cook's Court, Bishops-gate; Jew's Harp Court; Sugar Loaf Court, Lamb Alley; Three Pidgeon Court.

North Street

South out of Ropemaker Street to White Street, in Cripplegate Ward Without (Horwood, 1799-O.S. 1880).

The site is now occupied by the City of London College.

Northumberland Alley

South out of Fenchurch Street, at No. 78, to Crutched Friars (P.O. Directory). In Aldgate Ward.

First mention : 1649 (Ct. H.W. II. 767).

Stow mentions it as a lane going by Northumberland House to the Crossed Friars (S. 141), but does not name it.

Strype, Ed. 1720, says, "Northumberland House, now converted into Buildings and called Northumberland Alley" (I. ii. 82).

By the Improvement Act of 1760 it was directed that a passage 25 feet wide should be made through the alley into Crutched Friars.

See Northumberland House.

Northumberland Back Alley

West out of Northumberland Alley. In Aldgate Ward (O.S. 1880).

Northumberland Court

See Carlisle Avenue.

Northumberland House

On the west side of St. Martin's Lane (now St. Martin le Grand), in the parish of SS. Anne and Agnes, in Aldersgate Ward.

It is described in Cal. L. Bk. K. p.203 as a messuage, shop and garden in parish of St. Agnes without Aldresgate, belonging to the Earl of Northumberland granted to Q. Johanna by Henry IV. by name of the Hostel of the Earl of Northumberland, 6 H. IV. 1405.

Stow says it was called the Queen's Wardrope, but now a printing house. "le Quene Warderobe," 1452 (Cal. P.R. H. VI. 1446-52, p.566) (S. 311)

The Percies seem to have recovered possession of the house, for on the attainder of the third Earl, it was granted to George, duke of Clarence (Ch. I. p.m. Ed. IV. I. 48, 199).

The site is now covered by the buildings of the General Post Office.

Northumberland House, Aldgate

On the east side of Northumberland Alley, in the parish of St. Katherine Colman (S. 141 and 151). In Aldgate Ward.

It belonged to Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, 33 H. VI. (S. 151).

Northumberland Place mentioned 28 Eliz. (1586) (Lond. I. p.m. III. p.90).

Of late left by the Earls (S. 151), and gardens made into bowling alleys and dicing houses, cottages, etc. (ib.).

Northumberland House now converted into Buildings and called Northumberland Alley (Strype, Ed. 1720, I. ii. 82).

Northumberland Mews

East out of Northumberland Alley. In Aldgate Ward (O.S. 1875).

See Carlisle Avenue.