(St.) Mary Bothaw

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

On the east side of Turnwheel Lane, in Dowgate and Walbrook Wards (O. and M. 1677).


Earliest mention found in records : Mentioned in 1117 in gift of land near the church by the Prior and Convent of Christ Church, Canterbury (L. and M. Arch. Soc. N.S. I. (2), 207).

Peter the priest gave his church of "St. Mary Bothage" to Christchurch Canterbury, c. 1150 (Litterae Cant. III. 357).

Other forms : "Parochia Bothaghe," temp. Hen. Fita. Ailwin, 1189-1212 (Anc. Deeds, A. 7351). "St. Mary Bothaw," 54 H. III. (ib. A. 1785). "St. Mary de Bothaug," 1283-5 (ib. A. 1674). "St. Mary de Bothawe," 1296 (Cal. L. Bk. C. p. 25). "St. Mary Bethaghe," 28 Ed. I. (Cal. P.R. Ed. I. 1292-1301, p. 507). "St. Mary de Bothehawe," 1312 (Ct. H.W. I. 236). "parish of St. Bothowe," 11 Eliz. (Lond. I. pm. II. 118). "St. Mary Botolfe," 25 Eliz. (ib. III. 63). "St. Mary Buttolphe," 1600-1 (Ct. H.W. II. 727).

Had a small cloystrie adjoining the church (S. 230).

Repaired and beautified 1621.

Burnt in the Fire and not rebuilt, the parish being united to St. Swithin (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii. 200).

Order made in 1669 for the removal of the walls and steeple of the church, the materials to be preserved and employed towards the rebuilding of St. Swithin's (Trans. L. and M. Arch. Soc. N.S. I. (2), p. 99).

A Rectory. Patrons : Prior and Convent of Christ Church, Canterbury, and afterwards the Dean and Chapter.

A peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury and not subject to the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London (Newcourt, I. 446-7).

Stow derives the name "Bothaw" from "boat" and "haw," and says it was so called as adjoining a haw or yard wherein of old time boats were made and landed from Dowgate to be repaired (S. 230). But O.E. "bat" = "boat" would hardly give M.E. "bot."

The site was preserved for some time in the churchyard. But all trace of it has now been swept away by the erection of Cannon Street Station.

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