Green Lettice Lane

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

The northern portion of Laurence Pountney Hill from Cannon Street to the church of St. Lawrence was named "Green Lettice Lane" in the 16th and 17th centuries. In Walbrook and Candlewick Wards, east side in Candlewick Ward, west in Walbrook Ward.


First mention: "Grene lattyce lane" in Candlewyke Strete in parish of St. Mary Abchurche, 32 H. VIII. 1540 (L. and P. H. VIII. Dom. S. XV. p. 411).

Other forms of name : "Lane called Grene lettyce," 2 and 3 P. and M. (Lond. I. p.m. I. 141). "Green Lettis lane" (Leake, 1666). "Green Lettice lane" (O. and M. 1677-Lockie, 1816). "Green Lettice court" (Elmes, 1831).

See Laurence Pountney Hill.

Perhaps originally Green Lattice Lane, the second meaning of the word "lattice" in Halliwell being "an alehouse," and he says that many inns formerly had this sign and were distinguished by a lattice, not by a glass window, the latter being fragile for the customers. There may well have been an inn with this sign in the neighbourhood, from which the street derived its name. In the Originalia grants 3 H. VIII. mention is made of "domum vocatur le Grenelates" within the precinct of the palace of Westminster, which indicates that this name or sign was in use at that date elsewhere in London.

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