King Edward Street

King Edward Street

North out of Newgate Street, at No. 82 to Little Britain (P.O. Directory). In Aldersgate Ward and Farringdon Ward Within. So named 1843.

Former names: "Stinking lane" or "Chicke lane" (S. 318). "Stinkendelane," 1285 (MS. D. and C. St. Paul's, Lib. L. fo. 93). "Stukande lane," 3 Ed. I. (Rot. Hund. I. 404). "Fowle lane or Chickine lann," 1546–1617 (Trans. L. and M. Arch. Soc. V. 421). "Butcher Hall Lane" (Stow, ed. 1633–Elmes, 1831).

In Horwood the northern portion into Little Britain is called "Blue Coat Buildings," and in Rocque "New Passage." In these maps and in O. and M. "Butcher Hall Lane" ends at "Bull and Mouth Street."

Called "Butcher Hall lane" as having the Butchers' Hall in it. "Stinking lane" on account of the smell of the slain carcasses.

Excavations made for building in 1842 revealed that the site had at one time been used as a Roman burial place and must at that period have been outside the City walls.

Named after King Edward VI. in commemoration of his interest in Christ's Hospital.

Butcher hall lane, on the Nly [northerly] side of Newgate str. leading to Bull and Mouth str. L. 130 Yds.

[Butcher's Hall Lane.] The Butchers inhabiting in this [Blowbladder] Street, have their Slaughter Houses in Butchers Hall lane, formerly called Stinking lane, from the Nastiness of the Place; but now it is kept pretty clean, and here the Company of Butchers have their Hall. This Lane cometh out of Newgate street, and passing by Christ Church, into which it hath an entrance, falls into Bull and Mouth street, which leadeth to St. Martins le Grand.

[Butcher's Hall Lane.]

Then is Stinking lane, formerly so called, or Chick lane, at the East end of the Grey Friers Church. It is now kept clean from Annoyance, and called by the Name of Butchers Hall lane; and there is the Butchers Hall.	Stinking lane, to Chick lane.
In the 3d of Richard II. motion was made, that no Butcher should kill any Flesh within London; but at Knightsbridge, or such like distant place from the Walls of the City.	Butchers.
This was but the renewing of a Command strictly given by King Edward III. in the 35th of his Reign, to the Maior and Sheriffs, upon a great Contagion in the City; which was thought to have been occasioned by the stink of slain Beasts within or near the City. The Kings Letter will explain this Matter more at large; and that confirmed, as it seems, in Parliament.
Rex Maiori, &c. Quia per mactationem grossarum bestiarum, &c. i.e. "Because by reason of killing of great Beasts, &c. from whose putrified Blood running down the Streets, and the Bowels cast into the Thames, the Air in the City is very much corrupted and infected, whence abominable and most filthy Stinks proceed, Sicknesses and many other Evils have happened to such as have abode in the said City, or have resorted to it; and greater Dangers are feared to fall out for the time to come, unless Remedy be presently made against it; WEE, willing to prevent such Danger, and to provide as much as in Us lies, for the Honesty of the said City, and the Safety of our People, by the Consent of Our Council in our present Parliament, have ordained, That all Bulls, Oxen, Hogs, and other gross Creatures, to be slain for the sustentation of the said City, be led as * far as the Town of Stretford, [i.e. Stratford le Bow,] on one part of London, and the Town of Knightbrugg on the other, and there, and not on this side, be slain. And that their Bowels be there cleansed; and being so cleansed, to be brought, together with the Flesh, to the said City to be sold. And if any Butcher shall presume any thing rashly against this Ordinance, let him incur Forfeiture of the Flesh of the Creatures, which he hath caused to be slain on this side the said Towns, and the punishment of Imprisonment for one Year. This Ordinance to be publickly proclaimed and held; and all Butchers doing otherwise, to be chastised and punished according to the Form of the Ordinance aforesaid. Witness the King at Westminster, the 25th of February.]"	The King's Letter to that purpose. Turr. Record. Claus. 35 Ed. II. *Usque ad Villam de Stretford ex una parte, & Villam de Knyghtbrugg ex altera parte dict. Civitatis.

Butcherhall lane, Newgate street. Formerly a market being kept in Newgate street, the slaughter houses of the butchers were in this lane, when from the nastiness of the place it was called stinking lane: but the market being removed after the fire, and this lane rebuilt, here the company of butchers had their hall, whence it took its name.

Butcherhall-Lane, Newgate-Street,—at 82, a few doors on the R. from Cheapside, leading to Little-Britain and Smithfield.

Butcher-Hall-Lane, Newgate-street, is a few doors on the right from Cheapside, and leads to Little Britain and Smithfield.

Butcher Hall Lane, now King Edward Street, runs from Newgate Street to Little Britain. Christ Church and the gates of Christ's Hospital are on the west side.

Then is Stinking Lane, so called, or Chick Lane, at the east end of the Gray Friars' Church, and there is the Butchers' Hall.—Stow, p. 118.

[See Butchers' Hall, Blowbladder Street, St. Nicholas Shambles.]