Thames Street

Thames Street

Extended from Tower Hill to Puddle Dock, in Tower, Billingsgate, Bridge Within, Dowgate, Vintry, Queenhithe and Castle Baynard Wards.

Now divided into Lower and Upper Thames Street (q.v.).

Earliest mention the "street of the Thames" by Queenhithe, 49 H. III. (Cal. P.R. H. III. 1258–66, p. 467). Near Billingsgate (ib. p. 468).

Other names and forms: "Thamisestrate," 56 H. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 2684). "Tamesestrate," 1277 (Ct. H.W. I. 28). "Tamestrate," 1282–3 (lb. 62). "Temestret," 1308 (ib. 202). "Tamystrate," 1311 (ib. 223). "Tamistrete," 1315 (ib. 254). "Temisestrete," 1349–50 (Ct. H.W. I. 627).

Strype says of it: "Thames Street begins at Puddle Dock and runs eastward to the Tower, which is above a mile in length; but is in several Wards. It is a Street, especially Eastward, of a very good Trade, and inhabited by great dealers; besides the Diers, Brewers, Woodmongers, and Timber Yards on the South side, next the Thames. And by reason thereof, and of the several Keys and Wharfs, it is much pestered with Carts, for the lading and unlading of goods" (ed. 1720, I. iii. 229).

Eastern end called "Petty Wales" (q.v.).

So named from its proximity to the river.

The longest street in London (W. Stow, 1722).

At the foot of Lambeth Hill near Blackfriars, during excavations for sewerage, a wall was found at a depth of 9 feet from the present street level, forming an angle with Lambeth Hill and Thames Street, and extending from Lambeth Hill to Queenhithe, 8–10 feet thick, and 8 feet in height (R. Smith, 18). Opposite Queen Street a similar wall was found. The level of the street at the time of the Great Fire of 1666 was 6 feet lower than at the present time.

Remains of an ancient paved causeway have been discovered under the street, and numerous remains of Roman pottery, coins, etc.

The Roman level seemed to be from 20 to 25 feet lower than at present and numerous piles and beams and trunks of oak trees have been found, suggesting the remains of the old embankment of Roman London.

Thames str. a most extraordinary spacious str. in London, so called from the River, which it runs very near to N. of, and almost parallel with, for above a mile betn the Tower dock E. and Puddle dock W. L. 1800 yds; and from PC. S. 230 yds, and from the middle of the Tower of London 200 yds.

Thames street [Castle Baynard Ward], begins at Puddle dock, and runs Eastward to the Tower, which is above a Mile in length; but is in several Wards, as hath been taken notice of. It is a Street, especially Eastward, of a very good Trade, and inhabited by great Dealers; besides the Diers, Brewers, Woodmongers, and Timber Yards, on the South side, next the Thames. And by Reason thereof, and of the several Keys and Wharfs, it is much pestered with Carts, for the lading and unlading of Goods.

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Thames street [Queen Hith Ward], runneth through the Heart of this Ward, as it doth that of the Vintry; ... This Street enjoyeth a good Trade, and hath a great Resort, occasioned by the several Wharfs on the Water side: and therefore much pestered with Carts.

Thames street, is of a prodigious length, it extending from Black Friars to Tower Dock. It is the first street that lies parallel to the Thames, on its north bank, and is chiefly inhabited by wholesale dealers.

Thames Street, on the north bank of the Thames, stretches from Blackfriars Bridge to the Tower, and is rather more than a mile in length. That part of the street below London Bridge is called Lower Thames Street, that above, Upper Thames Street. The eastern end of Thames Street was sometimes called Petty Wales (which see), and also occasionally Galley Row.¹ That part of Thames Street which lies in Bridge Ward formerly bore the name of Stockfishmonger Row.

Some excavations made for sewers in Thames Street led to discoveries which confirm the truth of Fitz Stephen's assertion that London was formerly walled on the water side, and although in his time the wall was no longer standing, at least in an entire state, there was probably enough left to trace its course by. This wall was first noticed at the foot of Lambeth Hill, forming an angle with Thames Street, and extending, with occasional breaks, to Queenhithe; and some walling of similar character, probably a part of the above, has been noticed in Thames Street, opposite Queen Street. It was from eight to ten feet thick, and about eight deep, reckoning the top at nine feet from the present street level, and composed of ragstone and flint, with alternate layers of red and yellow, plain and curve-edged tiles, cemented by mortar, as firm and hard as the tiles, from which it could not be separated. For the foundation strong oaken piles were used, upon which was laid a stratum of chalk and stones, and then a course of hewn sand-stones, from three to four feet long, by two and a half in width.—C. Roach Smith, Arch. Journal, vol. i. p. 114.

I had rather live all my days among the cheesemongers' shops in Thames Street, than pass such another spring in this filthy country.—The Connoisseur, June 13, 1754.

John Chaucer, the poet's father, was a vintner in Thames Street, and the poet himself lived there for many years. In the 14th century the river front of Thames Street exhibited numerous handsome buildings, but these were destroyed by the fire and not rebuilt.

March 19, 1668.—Walked all along Thames Street, which I have not done since it was burned, as far as Billingsgate; and there do see a brave street likely to be, many brave houses being built, and of them a great many by Mr. Jaggard; but the raising of the street will make it mighty fine.—Pepys.

In Thames Street stood formerly Baynard's Castle, and the Steelyard (which see).

Observe—in Upper Thames Street, walking eastward to The Tower: church of St. Benet, Paul's Wharf, rebuilt after the fire, by Wren: here Inigo Jones is buried; churchyard of St. Peter's, Paul's Wharf (this church was destroyed in the Great Fire, and not rebuilt); Trig Lane; Castle Baynard (name alone); Broken Wharf; Queenhithe; warehouse, No. 46, as a successful adaptation of Gothic to ordinary business purposes, architect W. Burges. Church of St. James, Garlickhithe; Vintners' Hall; College Hill; Dowgate; Allhallows the Great; Coldharbour; Steelyard; Suffolk Lane; Lawrence Poultney Hill; Old Swan Stairs (here was the Shades, at London Bridge, noted for the excellent flavour of its wines and its moderate charges). Here the street passes under London Bridge. Observe—In Lower Thames Street, Fish Street Hill, church of St. Magnus (built by Wren); Pudding Lane (where the Great Fire of 1666 broke out); Botolph Lane, so called from the church of St. Botolph, destroyed in the Great Fire; Billingsate; St. Mary-at-Hill (so called from the church on the hill, on the left as you ascend); church of St. Dunstan's-in-the-East (built by Wren); Custom House; the Tower.

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¹ Stow, p. 52.