Basinghall Street

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

North out of Gresham Street at No.93 to 21 London Wall (P.O. Directory). In Bassishaw and Coleman Street Wards.


First mention: "Basinghallstreete," 1670-1 (Ct. H.W. II. 775).

Former names : "Street of Basingeshawe," 1279 (Cal. P.R. Ed. I. 1272-81, p. 333). "Street of Bassieshawe," 1288 (Ct. H.W. I. 85). "Bassishaw Strete," 21 Ed. I. (Cal. Charter Rolls, II. 434).

High Road called "Bassingeshawe," 7 Ed. I. 1280 (Cal. P.R. Ed. I. 1272-81, p.381). "Street of Bassishaughe," 17 Ed. III. 1343 (Cal. Close R. Ed. III. 1343-6, p. 95). "High Street of Bassieshawe," 4 H. VI. 1425 (Cal. L. Bk. K. p. 53). "Bassinghawstrete," 4 Ed. VI. (P.R. Ed. VI. Pt. 9). "Bassinges Hawe," 23 Eliz. 1581 (Lond. I. p.m. III. 42). "Bassingshall streete," 1603 (S. 287). "Basinghallstreete," 1670-1 (Ct. H. W. II. 775). "Bashishaw Street" (Strype, 1720). "Basinghall Street, properly Bassishaw Street" (P.C. 1732).

In 1425 certain parcels of land were granted by the Executors of Richard Whityhgtone for the enlargement and improvement of the high street of Bassieshawe (Cal. L. Bk. K. p.53).

The street has been much altered in modern times by the removal of the numerous courts and alleys that intersected it and by the erection of large blocks of chambers and offices, as Gresham Buildings, Guildhall Chambers, etc.

The name is derived from the estate and parish of Bassishaw (q.v.).

See New Basinghall Street.

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