Beech Lane
Names
- Beech Lane
- La Beche
- Bechelane
- Bechestrete
- Bechen lane
- Beech Street
Street/Area/District
- Beech Lane
Maps & Views
- 1553-59 London (Strype, 1720): Beech Lane
- 1553-9 Londinum (Braun & Hogenberg, 1572): Beech Lane
- 1553-9 London ("Agas Map" ca. 1633): Bech lane
- 1560 London (Jansson, 1657): Beech Lane
- 1593 London (Norden, 1653 - British Library): Beech Lane
- 1593 London (Norden, 1653 - Folger): Beech Lane
- 1666 London after the fire (Bowen, 1772): Beech Lane
- 1666 London after the fire (Bowen, 1772): Red Cross Street
- 1677 A Large and Accurate Map of the City of London (Ogilby & Morgan): Beech Lane
- 1720 London (Strype): Beech Lane
- 1736 London (Moll & Bowles): Beech Lane
- 1746 London, Westminster & Southwark (Rocque): Beech Lane
- 1761 London (Dodsley): Beech Lane
Descriptions
from A Dictionary of London, by Henry Harben (1918)
Beech Lane
South-east from No. 13 Beech Street to No. 51 Whitecross Street (P.O. Directory). In Cripplegate Ward Without.
In former times and as late as the 18th century, this was the name given to the street now called Beech Street (q.v.).
First mention: "la beche," 41 H. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 2263).
"Bechelane," 1334–5 (Ct. H.W. I. 402).
Other names and forms: "Bechestrete," 1285 (Ct. H.W. I. 74). "Bechen lane" 20 Rich. II. (Cal. Pat. R. 1396–9, p. 22). "Beech lane" (O. and M. 1677–Strype, 1755).
Named after the family "de la Beche." In 41 H. III. Henry de la Beche made a grant of all his lands in "la beche" in parish of St. Giles Without Crepelgate, by the street called "la beche" (Anc. Deeds, A. 2263).
It has been suggested that the name may be connected with "Wittewellebech," mentioned in old documents (Kingsford's Stow, II. 340).
See Berchenlane. [See also Beech Street]
from A New View of London, by Edward Hatton (1708)
Beech Lane, betn Red Cross str. (by Barbican) W. and White Cross str. E. Stow supposes this Lane called so from Nicolas de la Beech, Lieutenant of the Tower, in the 13 of Edward III.
from A Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster, by John Strype (1720)
[Beech Lane.] And there is Beech lane, peradventure so called of Nicholas de la Beech, Lieutenant of the Tower of London; put out of that Office in the 13th of Edward III. This Lane stretcheth from the Redcross street to Whitecross street, and is replenished, not with Beech Trees, but with beautiful Houses of Stone, Brick, and Timber. Amongst the which was (of old time) a great House, pertaining to the Abbot of Ramsey, for his Lodging, when he repaired to the City. It is now called Drewrie House, of Sir Drew Drewrie, a Worshipful Owner thereof.
On the North side of this Beech lane, towards Whitecross street, the Drapers of London have lately builded Eight Almeshouses of Brick and Timber, for Eight poor Widows of their own Company; whom they have placed there Rent free, according to the Gift of the Lady Askew, Widow to Sir Christopher Askew, sometime Draper, and Maior, 1533.
…
Beech lane, comes out of Whitecross street, and falls into Redcross street, over against Barbican; a Place of slender Account as to Trade or Resort, and but indifferent as to its Inhabitants.
from London and Its Environs Described, by Robert and James Dodsley (1761)
Beach lane, Whitecross street, Cripplegate. ‡
from London Past and Present: Its History, Associations, and Traditions, by Henry Benjamin Wheatley and Peter Cunningham (1891)
Beech Street, formerly Beech Lane, Barbican.
Peradventure so called of Nicholas de la Beech, lieutenant of the Tower of London, put out of that office in the 13th of Edward III. This lane stretcheth from the Red Cross Street to White Cross Street, replenished not with beech trees, but with beautiful houses of stone, brick, and timber. Amongst the which was of old time a great house pertaining to the Abbot of Ramsey: it is now called Drewry House of Sir Drewe Drewrie, a worshipful owner thereof.—Stow, p. 113.
The secret meetings at which the unhappy rising of the Earl of Essex was arranged were held in Drury House. Later Prince Rupert lived in Drury House, and J.T. Smith has engraved a view of all that remained in 1796 of the house he is said to have occupied. The Drapers' Almshouses, erected about 1540, were pulled down 1862, and new ones erected at Tottenham.