Hanging Sword Alley

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

East out of Whitefriars Street, at No. 22, in Farringdon Ward Without (P.O. Directory).


First mention: 6 Eliz. (Transcript of Deed of that date in Bell's Fleet Street, pp. 386 and 508).

In this deed the "Hanging Sword Alley," alias "Ouldwood Alley," is included in the grant by the Bishop of Salisbury to the Queen of his manor of Salisbury House or Place, as part of the manor (Bell, 588).

Formerly called "Blood-bowl alley" from a house so named in the alley.

Apparently a corruption of "Ouldwood."

Named after the house called the Hanging Sword (S. 399) mentioned in a document of 1574 in the Record Office (Noble, p. 98).

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