Idol Lane

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

South out of Great Tower Street, at No. 1, to Cross Lane (P.O. Directory). In Tower Ward.


Earliest mention: "Idle lane" (Leake, 1666).

Former names : "St. Donst hyll" (Agas) Guildhall copy. "S. Dunest hyll" (Agas, Vertue). "Church Lane," in the west (S. 136, margin).

In Strype's time Idle Lane extended to Thames Street (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii. 53).

Hatton (1708) says it was called Idol lane in old records from makers of idols or images living there, but there is no evidence to support this statement.

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