Cheap Ward

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

One of the twenty-six wards of the City, bounded on the north by Bassishaw Ward, south by Cordwainer, west by Cripplegate, and east by Coleman Street, Cornhill and Walbrook Wards.


Earliest mention: "Warda fori," c. 1125-30 (MS. D. and C. St. Paul's Lib. L. ff., 47-50). "Chepe ward," 49 H. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 1673). "Ward of Westchepe," 39 Ed. III. 1366 (Cal. Close R. Ed. III. 1364-8, 300).

Called Ward of Adam de Basing in Ch. I. p.m. H. III. file 46 (10).

So named, says Stow, of the market there kept, called West Cheping (S. 261).

The ward has always been of considerable importance as a centre of trade and industry.

In 1368 it was, with Cordwainer, the wealthiest ward in the City (Cal. L. Bk. G. p. 251).

It contained in Stow's time 7 parish churches, viz. : St. Laurence Jewry ; St. Pancras, Soper Lane ; St. Benet Sherehog ; St. Mildred Poultry ; St. Martin Pomary ; St. Mary Colechurch ; All Hallows, Honey Lane. Halls of Companies : Grocers' Hall, Mercers Hall. Public Buildings : Guildhall ; Poultry Compter ; Great Conduit ; The Standard ; The Great Cross ; Mercers' Chapel.

Of these churches, St. Laurence Jewry is the only one now standing.

The Guildhall, Mercers' Hall, and Grocers' Hall also remain.

See Wards.

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