Three Cranes Lane

Names

  • Three Cranes Lane
  • Three Crane Lane
  • Fruiterers
  • Painted Tavern Lane

Street/Area/District

  • Three Cranes Lane

Maps & Views

Descriptions

from A Dictionary of London, by Henry Harben (1918)

Three Cranes Lane

South out of Upper Thames Street, at No. 77, to Three Cranes Wharf (P.O. Directory). In Vintry Ward.

First mention: (S. ed. 1603, 241). "3 Crane Lane" (Horwood, 1799).

"So called not onely of a signe of three Cranes at a Taverne doore, but rather of three strong Cranes of Timber placed on the Vintrie wharfe by the Thames side to crane up wines there as is afore shewed; this lane was of old time, to wit the 9 Richard the 2, called the 'painted Taverne lane' of the Taverne being painted" (S. 241).

Lane taken up by Costermongers (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 13).

"Fruiterers" in 1755 edition.

The birds were adopted on the sign in punning allusion to the name.