Fish Wharf

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

1) Near Queenhithe, in the parish of St. Mary Somerset.


First mention: Shops in a lane at one end of Lambardes hill towards "le Fishwarf," 1306 (Ct. H.W. I. 181).

This suggests that the wharf was at the southern end of Lambeth Hill on the Thames.

Other forms : "Fisshewarfe," 1311 (Cal. L. Bk. D. p. 231). "Fisshwharf," 1347 (Ct. H.W. I. 496). "le Fiswarve " (Anc. Deeds, A. 2362).

See Freshfish Wharf.

2) A wharf on the Thames in the parish of St. Magnus, near Drinkwater Wharf, in Bridge Ward Within (S. 217).

Near the eastern end of St. Magnus Church (Ct. H.W. I. 17).

Earliest mention: "Viswarf," 1273-4 (Ct. H.W. I. 17). "Kaya que vocatur Le Fisshewarff," 14 Ed. II. (Plac. de Qno Warranto, p. 467).

Other forms : "Wysswarf," 1329 (Ct. H.W. I. 353). "Fichwharf," 1374 (Ct. H.W. II. 165). "Le Fisshwharf at le Hole," 1400 (Ct. H.W. II. 346).

The tenement was devised by Andrew Hunte to the rector and churchwardens of St. Magnus, being situate "super" the new churchyard of the church of St. Magnus, 1446 (ib. II. 508).

The site must be adjacent, on the west, to the present London Bridge Wharf, and between that wharf and Fresh Wharf east.

In early times it was of considerable importance, as the Fishmongers had their shops on the wharf, and it probably took its name from this circumstance.

In 14 Ed. II. a serious dispute arose as to their right to sell fish by retail in these shops, and their petition to the King and the subsequent proceedings are set out in Lib. Cust. I. 385-406.

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