Statue of Queen Anne - Sterry's Rents

Statue of Queen Anne

Facing the west door of St. Paul's Cathedral, in the Church-yard (O.S. 1880). Architect, F. Bird.

Steel Alley

In Houndsditch. Houses in the alley given 1569 to the parish of St. Edmund the King and Martyr (End. Ch. 1903, p.3).

Qy. = Still Alley.

Steel's Court

West out of Bread Street, south of Cheapside, in Bread Street Ward (P.C. 1732-Boyle, 1799).

Former name: "Rose Court" (O. and M. 1677). Site has been rebuilt for business purposes.

Steel's Yard

On the east side of Great Tower Hill at No, 33 (Lockie, 1810-Elmes, 1831).

Not named in the maps.

Steelyard (The)

-A place on the Thames extending north to Upper Thames Street lying between Dowgate west and All Hallows Lane east in Dowgate Ward (O. and M, 1677), occupied for many centuries by the merchants of the Hanseatic League.

First mention : " Le Steelyerde," 8 Rich. II. (Cal. I. p.m. (77)). Other forms : " Stilehof " or " stileyerd," 1475 (Cal. P.R. Ed. IV. 1467-77, p.509). "Styleyard," 1484 (Jupp's History of the Carpenters' Co., p.142). " Stiliarde," 1555 (Ct. H.W. II. 659). " Still Yard " (O. and M. 1677). " The Stylliard," 1720 (Strype).

The site was originally occupied by the Gildhall of the merchants, known as Haus zu Cälner in London," 1157 (Lappenberg, Urkundliche Geschichte des Hansischen Stahlhofes, Pt. 2, p.4).

Called : " Gildhalle die Cälner," 1194 (ib. 5). " Gildhalle Teutonlcorum," 1224

(ib. I. ii) and 1260 (Cal. P.R. H. III. 1258-66, p.77). "Guyhaldæ Coloniensium" (Lib.

Albus, 1.241). "Gildhalla of the Teutonics," 9 Ed. I. (Cal. L. Bk. C. p.41). "Stalhof,"

1320 (Lappenberg, Pt. II. p. 119). " Esterlingeshalle," 1409 (Lappenberg, I. 58) and 1456 (Cal. P.R. H. VI. 1452-61, p.286).

The earliest mention of the German merchants of the Hanse in England occurs in the " De Institutis Londonie " of Ethelred, 978-1016, where they are referred to, not, as the other merchants, by the names of the towns they came from, but as "Homines Imperatoris, qui veniebant in navibus suis" (Thorpe, Anc. Laws and Institutes, I. 300).

It seems probable that they possessed a house on the banks of the Thames on or near the site of the Steelyard from very early times, perhaps prior to the date of these laws, and the friendly relations existing between King Canute and the Emperor Conrad II. were distinctly advantageous to the interests of the German merchants in England.

There were other similar guilds of merchants from Bruges and other Flemish towns, but they do not seem to have been formally recognised in the same way by the English kings, although they traded in England, and they seem to disappear from English history about the 14th century.

The first mention of the house, contained in a charter of Henry II., 1157, confirming to the "homines et cives Colonienses" ... " domo sua London " (Lappenberg, Pt. 2, p.3), shows it in the possession of the merchants of Cologne, but subsequent records prove that this house was certainly on a part of the site occupied later by the" Gildhalle der deutschen und des hansischen Stalhofes" (ib. Pt. I, p.7).

The charter of Richard I., 1194, freed " die Cälner " from payment of rent for their "Gildhalla" (ib. Pt. 2, p.5), and gave them liberty to buy and sell throughout the kingdom.

These privileges were confirmed and additional ones granted by charters from King John and subsequent sovereigns, probably as an acknowledgment of the services rendered by the vessels of the Hanseatic merchants in time of war, the only condition made being, that the merchants should undertake the repair and upkeep of the Gate of Bishopsgate (Cal. L. Bk. A. 228; B. 242 ; and See Lib. Albus, I. 485).

In the early years of Henry III., namely, about 1224, these merchants came to be known comprehensively as merchants from "Alemannien," instead of Deutschland, called " Deutsch," or " Teutonic," in common speech, and this term included those formerly known as merchants of Cologne, as well as the "Teutonicorum."

By this time they had obtained the privilege of electing their own aldermen, and in 1251 this position was occupied by the well-known figure of Arnold, Thedmar's son.

By charter of 1260, H. III. confirmed their privileges to the " Kaufleuten des Reiches Alemennien welche in London das Hans besitzen welehes gewähnlich die ' Gildballe der Deutschen' genanat wird" (Lappenberg, Pt. I, p.12), and it was at this date that the German merchants commenced to mak that series of purchases of the property adjacent to their Guildhall, which, in after days, made them the owners of such a considerable estate.

These purchases, made during the 13th and 14th centuries, included houses, etc., in and near Windegose lane, the quay of Richard Lyons, and two houses of John de Norhampton, besides other lands.

They seem to have been in occupation of the site of the " Stilehof " or " Steelyerde" as early as 1320, but it was not until 1475 that they succeeded in acquiring the grant of a place called the " Stilehof" or " Stileyerd " lately belonging to John Reynwell in the parish of Alhalowen the More in Thamystrete in the ward of Dowgate (Cal. P.R. Ed. IV. 1467-77, p.509).

It was at the west end of this " Stahlhofes " that the " Guildhalle Theutonicorum stood (Lappenberg, I. 79).

The Gildhall was sometimes called the " Esterlynges Halle," a term made use of to distinguish it from the Guildhall of the City (Lappenberg, Pt. I, 56).

The number and extent of their privileges excited the jealousy of many of the English trade-guilds, and from the 15th century onwards they had to sustain and combat numerous hostile attacks and to resist the attempts made to deprive them of their privileges.

They contrived successfully to withstand these attacks and to enjoy their property and privileges until the year 1551 when, in consequence of the weighty complaints laid against them, the liberty of the Steelyard was seized into the King's hands and their special privileges were revoked (Lappenberg, Pt. 2, 178).

The chief complaint made against them was that they had abused their privileges by admitting into their Guild merchants who were not qualified to be members.

They continued to reside here and to make use of the Hall, however until the year 1598, when they were peremptorily commanded to quit the Steelyard and leave the kingdom forthwith (ib. 188), the Hall being then taken possession of by the Queen for the purposes of a Navy Office.

Serious efforts were made by letter and deputations from the Hanse towns to persuade James I. to rescind this order and to restore the merchants' privileges. But he proved obdurate, and although many of the merchants continued to reside in the Steelyard, and to carry on their trade, they never succeeded in regaining their former security of tenure, although they retained possession of the property. The Hall was destroyed in the Fire, but the merchants rebuilt many of their houses, and received from Chas. II. a grant of the site of the church of Holy Trinity the Less, on which to erect a church for the exercise of their faith.

They obtained favour from Wm. III., so far that he gave them exemption from the payment of taxes in recognition of their former privileges.

In later times the trade of the Stillyard (which had been general in character) was almost confined to the iron trade, which was busily carried on there.

The houses and warehouses erected 1751, together with the street known as Steelyard Lane, in which the name survived to the end, were sold in 1853 to the South Eastern Railway Company and demolished about 1865 for the erection of Cannon Street Station.

The origin of the name is somewhat obscure and has given rise to a good deal of discussion.

Minsheu in his Dictionary gives the meaning as "so called of a broad place or court wherein steele was much sold," while other writers derive the name from the king's steelyard or beam kept there for weighing the tronage of goods imported into London, prior to its transference to Cornhill.

There is not much to be said in support of the first suggestion, more especially as steel does not seem ever to have been an important item in the trade of the place, although in later times the trade in iron and iron goods was considerable.

Lappenberg makes the following suggestion as to the derivation of the name: That it came from the tax levied on the stalls where goods were sold, the right to levy this "Stoilgeld "being known in England as" Stallagium," from A.S. "stal," Scot." Stallangium," Fr. "etalage." Count Thomas of Flanders freed the burghers of his town of Dam, "de quodam censu annuo, qui vocatur ' stalpeneughe,' ita ut possint habere Hallam ad utilitatem villæ." The " Stahihof " was the old " Stell" or " Marktplatz " opposite the Gildhalle der Deutschen in which there was not room for the stalls on which the wares could be shown (Pt. 2, p.174). Compare the Dutch word "stael "=sample, pattern.

The tax was not only for the space occupied, but also for the privilege of exhibition, under the names ,' Ostensio," " Skeawing," "Scavagium."

The name " Esterlingeshalle" was given to the Hall, the members of the Hanseatic League being known as "Easterlings," as coming from the eastern parts of Germany.

"Dyneshemanhall" in the parish of All Hallows at the Hay, 1313-14 (Ct. H.W. I. 246), may be another name for this hall.

There are some interesting views of the later buildings occupying the site in Archer's Vestiges of Old London, and a very careful account of the later history of the site and its owners is to be found in Archæologia, Vol. LXI. Pt. 2, p.389 et seq.

Steelyard Lane

A tenement in "Styelyard lane" in parish of All Hallows the Michele in Douegate Ward is described as the inheritance of the wife of John de Norhampton, 8 Rich. II. 1385 (Cal. P.R. Rich. II. 1381-5, p. 516).

Qy.=Norhampton Inn (q.v.).

Steelyard Stairs

On the Thames, south of Steel Yard Wharf, in Dowgate Ward (Rocque, 1746).

Removed for the erection of Cannon Street Station and the railway bridge.

Steelyard Wharf

On the Thames, south of the Steelyard leading to Steelyard Stairs (Rocque, 1746).

Shown in Archer's Views in "Vestiges of Old London," 19th century.

Removed for the erection of Cannon Street Station and the railway bridge.

Steer's Place

South out of Barbican at No.10, in Aldgate Ward Without (Horwood, 1799-Elmes, 1831).

Removed for the formation of the Metropolitan Railway lines.

Perhaps named after the owner or builder.

Stephen (St.) Coleman Street

On the west side of Coleman Street, next to No. 35 (P.O. Directory). In Coleman Street Ward.

First mention found in records: "Parish of St. Stephen Colemanstrate," 15 John (Anc. Deeds, A. 6884).

Other names : " St. Stephen in the Jewry," 52 H. III. (ib. 2043). In will of John Sokelyng said to be a chapel annexed to St. Olave, Old Jewry, 1431-2 (Ct. H.W. II. 456). Also so described in 1317 (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p.28).

But by Inquisition, 15 and 29 Hen. VI., it was found to be a parish church and not a chapel, 31 H. VI. 1452 (Cal. P.R. H. VI. 1452-61, p. 16).

Repaired and beautified 1622 and 1629 (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 59).

Burnt in the Fire and rebuilt 1674-6 (ib. 62).

Cleaned and decorated 1879.

A Vicarage. Patron: Walter de Norwico, c. 20 Ed. I., afterwards 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 237) and until temp. H. VIII. the Prior of Botelee in Suffolk. After the dissolution, the parishioners acquired the right of presentation.

Newcourt says that in 1182 the church belonged to the Canons of St. Paul's, and that an Inquisition was held about that time into the state of the church (I. p.535). In the Hist. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. 68b, the church is only spoken of as St. Stephen's, without any distinctive appellation, but probably the contents of the MS. itself enable it to be identified with St. Stephen Coleman Street.

Newcourt says the Prior of Butley held the advowson from the Canons of St. Paul.

Stephen (St.) in the Jewry

See Stephen (St.) Coleman Street.

Stephen (St.) Walbrook

.On the east side of Walbrook at No.39 (P.O. Directory). South of the Mansion House, in Walbrook Ward, the parish extending into Cheap Ward.

Earliest mention: " S. Stephen super Walbrock" (c. 1096, Dugdale, IV. 601, Charter of joundation of St. John Colchester).

Other names and forms: "St. Stephen's Walebrok," 1246 (Cal. Charter Rolls, H. III. V. I. p.307). "St. Stephen on Walebrock," 1277 (Cal. L. Bk. B. p.266). " St. Stephen de Walebrock," 1282 (Ct. H.W. I. 60). "Wallbrook Church" (O. and M. 1677).

The church was built on the bank of the stream called the Walbrook, hence the distinguishing appellation.

In 1428 licence was granted to Robert Chichele to give a plot of land 208 1/2 ft. long and 66 ft. broad in the parish of St. Stephen Walbroke for the building of a new church to St. Stephen, for a cemetery and houses for the parson. The church was too small and there was no space to enlarge it or to make a churchyard (Cal. P.R. H.V. 1422 I. 9, p.492).

Stow tells us that this new church was built on the east side of the Walbrook, whereas the old church was on the west side of the course of the stream, where the Parsonage house then stood (S. 228), as appears from an Inquisition taken in 1300 to inquire who were liable to repair the covering over the course of the water of Walebroc "de super Murum canceff ecclesiæ Sci Stephani de Walebroc." The parishioners were held liable (Cal. L. Bk. C. p.71). The church was commenced 1429 and finished 1439 (ib. 229, and L. and M. Arch. Soc. Trans. V. p.331). Its dimensions are set out in these transactions, pp.332-3.

Repaired and beautified 1622-3 and the steeple and tower in 1632 (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii. 196).

Had a Lady Chapel, Chapel of St. Nicholas and Katherine. Cross in the Churchyard (ib.) (L. and M. Arch. Soc. Trans. V.334).

Destroyed in the Fire of London and rebuilt 1672-9 by Sir C. Wren, the parish of St. Benet Sherehog being united to it (ib. I. ii. 199).

The Parsonage house was also burnt down and rebuilt 1674, a map or survey being kept of the dimensions of the ground. Another house was built for the Parson adjoining the Church, on which part of the Church stood before the Fire. Restored 1847-8 and 1888 (ib. 199).

A Rectory. Patrons: the monks of St. John, Colchester. It was provided in the grant to John Chicheley that they were to be patrons of the new church as of the old one (Cal. Ch. Rolls, H. VI. 1422-9, p.492). Patronage purchased by Robert Whittiagham from John duke of Bedford and given by Ed. IV., to whom it had come by forfeiture of Rob. Whittingham, to Richard Lee, Mayor, who gave it to the Grocers' Company (S. 229), in whose patronage it remains.

There is a description of the church in Trans. St. Paul's Eccl. Soc. I. 209.

Stephen (St.) without Newgate

Rents in this parish are mentioned in will of Gilbert le Palmer, 1249 (Ct. H.W. I. 617).

Probably a clerical error for St. Sepulchre.

Stephen's (St.) Chambers

On the west side of Walbrook, north of Cannon Street (O.S. 1880).

Stephen's (St.) Chambers

In Telegraph Street at No. 18 (P.O. Directory).

First mention : L.C.C. List, 1912.

Stephen's (St.) Lane in the Jewry

Rents in the lane of St. Stephen in the Jewry near the Brethren of the Penance of Jesus Christ, 1291 (Ct. H.W. I. 99).

Not further identified.

Stephen's Lane

In the parish of St. Magnus, juxta Oystergate, 17 Ed. III. (Lib. Cust. II, 447), afterwards called " Churchehaw lane," 1373-4 (Ct. H.W. II. 158).

Earliest mention : " Stephenes lane," 1329 (ib. I. 347).

Other form : " Stevenes lane," 1351 (ib. 654).

In 17 Ed. III. it is described as a public lane leading to the Thames with a bridge at its head next the Thames, which had been always free to every one. Complaint was made that one Adam Lucas had turned it round so that the head of the bridge adjoined his own wharf and there was no access to it except through Lucas' wharf, for which he exacted toll (Lib. Cust. II. 447). And further tbat one William Robert had built a wall encroaching on the lane (ib. 448).

Perhaps named after Stephen de Oystergate, who held land in the vicinity about-the 13th century.

Identified with Churchyard Alley (q.v.), Thames Street.

Sterre (Le)

Tenement by Dowgate, 9 H. IV. (Anc. Deeds, A. 1792).

No later mention.

Sterre in Bredestrete

See Star Court.

Sterry's Rents

See Steven's Rents.