(St.) Olave Hart Street

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

On the south side of Hart Street at the north-west corner of Seething Lane (P.O. Directory). In Tower Ward. Parish extends into Aldgate Ward.


First mention found in records : "Parish of St. Olave towards the Tower" (1200-20) (Anc. Deeds, A. 7840).

Said to have been referred to in a Charter of Hen. I. (Trans. L. and M. Arch. Soc. N.S. II. (2), 226).

Other names: "St. Olave by the Tower" (23 Ed. I. Anc. Deeds, A. 1607). "St Olave towards the Tower," 1283-4 (Ct. H.W. I. p.68). "St. Olave versus Turrim" (13th and 14th centuries). "St. Olave juxta Turrim" (Lib. Cust. I. 230 and 235, and Ch. I. p.m. 10 Ed. III. ) " St. Olave next the Friars of Holy Cross" (41 Ed. III.1. p.m. (2), 40). Povah, in his Annals of St. Olave's, p. I, suggests that this was its usual designation after 1298, but this does not seem to be borne out by the Records quoted above. "St. Olave towards Alegate," 1286 (Ct. H.W. I. 78). " St. Olave towards Alegath," 25 H. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 7820). "St. Olave near Martelane," 1320 (Ct. H.W. I. 286). "St. Alulph by the Tower," I5 Ed. II. 1322 (Cal. P.R. Ed. II. 1321-4, p.127). " St. Olave by Mark Lane," alias "St. Olave in Hertstrete," 6 H. IV. 1405 (Cal. P.R. H. IV. 1405-8, p. 14). Seint Olaf at Crouchidfrier," 1500-21 (Arnold, p.76).

Povah thinks this church was built before the Conquest, i.e. between 1030 and 1066 (p. 18), and the dedication suggests this, as it would seem to be attributable to Danish influence.

Present church built by Richard and Robert Cely in the 15th Century (Povah, p.22). Walls and foundations of chalk and flint or rubble (26).

Restored 1632-3 (p.23). Escaped the Fire 1666. Repaired 1727, 1777, 1802, 1815, 1819, 1870.

A Rectory. Patrons: The Neville family and afterwards Cely (Newcourt, I. 511).

In hands of Trustees since 1655 (Povah, 240).

All Hallows Staining united to this Parish 1869-70 (ib. 35).

Parish 11 acres in extent (p. 7).

New Churchyard consecrated 1680 (181).

The dedication is to the Norwegian Sea-king Olaf who d. 1030 and was soon afterwards recognised as a saint (Arnold-Forster, Ch. Dedications II. p. 451).

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