Honey Lane - Horne Alley, Shoe Lane

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

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'Honey Lane - Horne Alley, Shoe Lane', in A Dictionary of London, (London, 1918) pp. . British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/dictionary-of-london/honey-lane-horne-alley-shoe-lane [accessed 25 March 2024]

In this section

Honey Lane

North out of Cheapside at No. 111 (P.O. Directory). In Cheap Ward.

Earliest mention : "Huni lane," 1198-1222 (D. and C. St. Paul's, Press A. Box 1, 543).

Other forms of name : "Hunylane," 1235 (Cal. Charter Rolls, I. 201-2). "Honilane," 1280-1 (Cal. L. Bk. A. p. 38). "Honylane," 1315-16 (Ct. H.W. I. 260). "Honey lane" (S. 273).

In former times the lane was more extensive than now, as it occupied the whole site of the Market (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 50).

So called, Stow says, "not of sweetenes thereof, being very narrow and somewhat darke, but rather of often washing and sweeping, to keepe it cleane" (S. 273).

Kingsford suggests that the name was probably due to the sale of honey there, many of the other streets out of Cheapside being similarly named, as Milk Street, Wood Street (ed. Stow's Survey, II. 333).

In digging the foundation of the City of London School, Roman relics were found at a depth of 16 to 18 ft., also tiles, and pavement of an Anglo-Norman church, and coins of Ethelred (Arch. XXVII. 149).

Honey Lane Market

On the east side of Milk Street, at the north end of Honey Lane (P.O. Directory). In Cripplegate Ward Within and Cheap Ward.

First mention : O. and M. 1677.

"Milk Street" or "Honey Lane Market."

Strype says that Honey Lane and other buildings were converted into a market after the Fire 1666, and that the area covered by the market was spacious, being 193 ft. long and 97 ft. broad, with a large square Market House in the centre, and stalls for butchers, etc. It had a passage into St. Lawrence Lane (ed. 1720, I. iii. 50).

The market was removed in 1835 and the City of London School erected on the site. This, in its turn, was removed to the Embankment, and the site is now converted into a street, occupied by offices and warehouses, but retaining the old name of Honey Lane Market.

The churches of All Hallows and St. Mary Magdalene, Milk Street, formerly occupied the site of the market.

Honeysuckle Court

East out of Grub Street (Milton Street), extending to Moor Lane, in Cripplegate Ward Without (O. and M. 1677-O.S. 1848-51).

The eastern end was removed for the formation of the Metropolitan Railway and Moorgate Street Station, the western end is now called Honeysuckle Square (q.v.).

The railway lines run through the centre of the street.

Honeysuckle Square

East out of Milton Street at No. 47, in Cripplegate Ward Without (P.O. Directory).

Formerly called Honeysuckle Court (q.v.).

Hooker's Court

East out of Nicholas Lane, on the boundary of Langbourne Ward (L.C.C. List, 1912).

First mention : O. and M. 1677.

Named after the owner or builder.

Hoop Yard, Tavern

Tavern on the east side of Fish Street Hill, north of Thames Street. In Bridge Ward Within (Strype, 1720-Rocque, 1746).

" Hoop Yard" (Lond. Guide, 1758-Boyle, 1799). "Hoop Tavern Passage," 1750 (Wilson, Hist. of St. Laurence Pountney, p. 144).

The Hoop Tavern is mentioned in 1674 as having existed before the Fire (ib. 147).

There are not many instances of the "Hoop" being used by itself as a sign in England, although frequently used in conjunction with other signs as "Swan on the Hoop," "Cock on the Hoop," etc.

It is said in Larwood and Hotten that these names are due to the fact that formerly, instead of being on a painted board, the subject of the sign was carved and hung within a hoop-so the old signs were called "on the Hoop."

Hooper's Court

North out of Upper East Smithfield at No. 28 (Horwood, 1799-Elmes, 1831).

Former names : "Coopers Court" (Strype, ed. 1720-Boyle, 1799). "Cowpers Court," "Coopers Rents" (P.C. 1732).

"Loat's Buildings" occupied part of the site in O.S. ed. 1848-51.

The later name, "Hooper's Court," is probably due to an error, "C" being mistaken for "H".

Named after an owner or builder.

Horn (John), Ward of

See Bridge Ward Within.

Horn Alley

South out of Holborn Hill, near Holborn Bridge, in Farringdon Ward Without (O. and M. 1677-Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 283).

Site now covered by Holborn Viaduct and the approaches.

Horn Alley

East out of Aldersgate Street at No. 43, in Aldersgate Ward Without (Hatton, 1708-Elmes, 1831).

First mention : "the Hornalley," 1472 (Loud. I. p.m. I. 12).

Site now occupied by Edmund Place (q.v.).

Horn Alley, Basing Lane

See Harts Horn Court.

Horn Alley, Beer Lane

See Horn Court.

Horn Court

East out of Beer Lane. In Tower Ward (O. and M. 1677-Boyle, 1799).

Other name : "Horn Alley" (Strype, 1720, and Rocque, 1746).

Site seems to have been rebuilt in Horwood.

Horn Court, Basing Lane

See Harts Horn Court.

Horn Tavern

On the north side of Fleet Street, in Farringdon Ward Without (Rocque, 1746).

Given in 1405 to the Goldsmiths' Company under the title of "The Horn in the Hoop."

Mentioned in Machyn's Diary 1557. Site now occupied by Anderton's Hotel, 164 Fleet Street (Noble, p. 109).

The meaning of these terms "in the Hoop" or "on the Hoop" is dealt with under Hoop Yard Tavern (q.v.).

Horn Tavern

East out of Godliman Street, in Castle Baynard Ward (Rocque, 1746).

Horn Yard

South out of Cloth Fair, in Farringdon Ward Without (Rocque, 1746-Boyle, 1799).

"Horne Yard" in Rocque.

Almshouses shown on the south side.

Horn Yard, Goodman's Yard

See Enoch Court.

Hornchurch Priory (Inn of)

See Monte Jovis Inn.

Horne Alley, Shoe Lane

Mentioned 1654 (L. and P. Commonw. VII. 341).

Qy.=Horse Alley.

Horne Alley, Shoe Lane

Mentioned 1654 (L. and P. Commonw. VII. 341).

Qy.=Horse Alley.