Abbot of St. Alban's Inn - Adam's Court

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

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'Abbot of St. Alban's Inn - Adam's Court', in A Dictionary of London, (London, 1918) pp. . British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/dictionary-of-london/abbot-of-st-albans-inn-adams-court [accessed 18 March 2024]

In this section

Abbot of St. Alban's Inn

This was the town house of the Abbots of St. Albans, prior to the dissolution of the monasteries in the time of Henry VIII.

It stood at the east side of Old Broad Street, to the north of St. Anthony's School, and was purchased by Edward Ketcher, pewterer of Thomas Leighe about 1544. By his will, dated 5 Elizabeth, the property was devised by Edward Ketcher to his son John (Inq. p.m. Lond. II. 38), who was Alderman of Cripplegate Ward, 1588-96.

It seems probable that Cushion Court and Adams Court, Old Broad Street (q.v.), now occupy the site approximately.

Abbot of Waltham's House

See Abbot's Inn.

Abbot's Inn

The town house of the Abbots of Waltham. On the west side of St. Mary At Hill (Street), south of the church. In Billingsgate Ward.

There is a long account of the house in the Archæologia XXXVI. ii. pp. 400-10, from which it appears that the land on which the house was erected was acquired by the Abbey of Waltham during the 12th century from various owners for the purpose of erecting a residence for the Abbots, when occasion required that they should be in London.From the Minister's accounts in the Augmentation Office, temp H. VIII., it seems to have been an extensive and considerable mansion.

In 1218-21 the Abbots had erected a chapel in their court adjoining the church of St. Mary de la Hille (H. MSS. Com. 9 Rep. p 17, MSS. D. and C. of St. Paul's). In 1500-1 the site of the Kitchen of the house was acquired for the church of St. Mary at Hill from the Abbot of Waltham, and the south east aisle of the church was erected upon it. The quit rent of this aisle after the dissolution of the monasteries was payable to the king. (Records of St Mary at Hill, I. 240, 391, E.E.T.S. ed.) After the dissolution of the monastery, the Inn known as Waltham or Abbot's Inn passed into private hands and was in existence until destroyed in the Great Fire, 1666 (L. and P. H. VIII. D.S. Vol. x. p. 530 and Lond. I. p.m.2 and 3 P. and M. 138).

A chamber in the Inn was used as a school house in 1523-4 (Rec. of St. Mary at Hill I. 321).

The Abbots also possessed property on the other side of the street.

Abbot's Lodging

A messuage called "le Abbottes Lodgyng" in parish of St. Sepulchre, between St. Sepulchre's Churchyard south, and Cockes Lane north, tenement of late prior of St. Bartholomew's and the vicar of St Sepulchre's east, and the garden pertaining to the "Sarsons Head" west (36 H. VIII. 1545. L. and P. H. VIII. XX. (1) p. 124).

The messuage must have stood on the west side of Giltspur Street, north of St. Sepulchre's Church and Churchyard in Farringdon Ward Without, and east of the Saracen's Head, so that the site is easy of identification, but it does not appear what Abbot had his lodging here.

Abchurch

See St. Mary (Abchurch).

Abchurch Lane

South out of Lombard Street at No. 15 to 133 Cannon Street (P.O. Directory). In Langbourne, Candlewick and Walbrook Wards.

Earliest recorded form of name: "Abbechurche lane," 20 Ed. I. (Anc. Deeds, A. 1887).

Other forms: "Abcherchelane," 1313 (Ct. H. W. I. 239). "Lane of St Mary de Abbechirche," 1346-7 (ib. I. 492). "Abchurch lane," 1557 (ib. II. 666).

The street was cut into two portions by the formation of King William Street, 1831, and a considerable number of houses in the centre of the street were demolished for this purpose.

Named after St. Mary Abchurch, situated on the western side of the lane.

Abchurch Yard

On the north-west side of Abchurch Lane at No. 17, south of St. Mary Abchurch, to Sherborne Lane, at No.14 (P.O. Directory). In Candlewick and Walbrook Wards. First mention: (P.C. 1732). In O. and M. 1677, the site is occupied by St Mary Abchurch Churchyard, hence the name.

Abergavenny House

See Stationers' Hall and Pembrook's Inn.

Abroke

See Turnmill Brook.

Acheliagestrete

See Addle Hill. Probably the "c" is a misreading for the" t" of the manuscripts.

Acorn Alley

, Court.-See Acorn Street.

Acorn Street

,-West out of Bishopsgate at No.128 (P.O. Directory). In Bishopsgate Ward Without.

First mention: (Lockie, 1816).

Former names: "Acorn Alley" (O. and M. 1677-Lockie, 1810). "Acorn Court" (Strype, 1720, I. ii. 108).

It seems to have been rebuilt since 1799 and widened. Elmes in 1831 also mentions "Acorn Court" at No.125, and so does Lond. Guide, 1758.

The street is much shorter now than as it is shown in O.S. 1880, in consequence of the Metropolitan Railway extensions, and there are only a few houses in it.

Dodsley says it was named after the" Acorn," which stood on the site of the present King's Arms Tavern, No.128, Bishopsgate, and see N. and Q. II S. III. p.3.

Adam and Eve Alley

See Adam and Eve Court, West Smithfield.

Adam and Eve Court

North out of Angel Alley, Bishopsgate Street Without, near Skinner Street (Lockie, 1810-Elmes, 1831).

Name derived from the sign, which was a favourite trade sign and the arms of the Fruiterers' Company.

Site now covered by the Metropolitan and Great Eastern Railway lines, etc.

Adam and Eve Court

,-West out of Petticoat Lane in Portsoken Ward, in the parish of St. Botolph, Aldgate (P.C. 1732 -Boyle, 1799). Not named in the maps.

Adam and Eve Court

South-west out of Duke's Place, through New Court to King Street. In Aldgate Ward (Lockie, 1810-Elmes, 1831).

Former name: "Adam's Court" (Rocque, 1746 -Boyle, 1799).

Named after a sign, as in previous case. Removed for the formation of Mitre Street

Adam and Eve Court

North out of West Smithfield to the City boundary in Farringdon Ward Without (Horwood, 1799).

Former name: Adam and Eve Alley" (O. and M. 1677-Dodsley, 1761). The site is now occupied by Smithfield Meat Market.

Adam Court

, Old Broad Street.-See Adam's Court.

Adam's Court

East out of Foster Lane, in Aldersgate Ward (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 120). No further reference, and not named in the maps.

Adam's Court

South out of Dunnings Alley in Bishopsgate Ward Without (Strype 1720). Probably named after the builder or owner. The site is now occupied by the lines of the North London and Great Eastern Railway Companies.

Adam's Court

, Duke's Place. - Adam and Eve Court.

Adam's Court

,-East out of Old Broad Street at No.11 (P.O. Directory). In Broad Street Ward.

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

Seems to occupy part of the site of the old inn or town house of the Abbots of St Albans (q.v.).