Mark Lane
Names
- Mark Lane
- Mark Layne
- Markelane
- Martlane
- Marthelane
- Marte Lane
- Mart Lane
- Marce Lane
- Marthe Lane
Street/Area/District
- Mark Lane
Maps & Views
- 1553-59 London (Strype, 1720): Mark Lane
- 1553-9 Londinum (Braun & Hogenberg, 1572): Mark Lane
- 1553-9 London ("Agas Map" ca. 1633): Marck lane
- 1560 London (Jansson, 1657): Mark Lane
- 1593 London (Norden, 1653 - British Library): Marke Lane
- 1593 London (Norden, 1653 - Folger): Marke Lane
- 1600 Civitas Londini - prospect (Norden): Marke lane
- 1720 London (Strype): Mark Lane
- 1736 London (Moll & Bowles): Mark Lane
Descriptions
from A Dictionary of London, by Henry Harben (1918)
Mark Lane
South out of Fenchurch Street, at No. 55, to Great Tower Street at No. 67 (P.O. Directory). In Tower, Aldgate and Langbourn Wards.
Earliest mention: "Mark layne," 7 Ed. VI. 1553 (Lond. I. p.m. L. and M. Arch. Soc. VII. p. 117). "Markelane," alias "Martlane," 2 Eliz. 1560 (ib. 203).
Former names: "Marthelane," 25 H. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 7820). "Marte" lane, 1276 (Riley's Memorials, 9). "Mart" lane, 1320 (Ct. H. Wills, I. 286). "Marce" lane, 1360 (Cal. Close Rolls, Ed. III. 1360–4, p. 143).
Derivation of name: "'Mark Lane' or 'Mart Lane,' being so called of a Priuiledge sometime enjoyed to keepe a mart there, long since discontinued and therefore forgotten so as nothing remaineth for memorie but the name of Mart lane, and that corruptly termed Marke lane" (S. 151). But this cannot be regarded as an altogether satisfactory derivation, as the word "mart" came into the language in the 15th century from the Dutch. It has been suggested that the M.E. "mart" = an ox fattened for slaughter, may be the origin of the name.
New Corn Exchange and Old Corn Exchange at No. 52.
No. 33 was a fine old house, supposed to have been the residence of the Spanish Ambassadors, temp. Q. Mary. Front portion pulled down and rebuilt 1888, now Nos. 31 and 34.
In 1871 in the course of rebuilding some of the houses a Roman tessellated pavement was found.
See Martilane.