Poultry

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

East from Cheapside, at No. 8o, to Mansion House Street (P.O. Directory). In Cheap Ward.


Earliest mention: " Polettar," 3 Ed. I. (Rot. Hund. I. 403).

Other forms: "The Poultry," 1298 (Cal. L. Bk. C. p.55). " Poletria," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 229 and 236). ', Puletrie," 8 Ed. II. (AnG. Deeds, A. 11941). " Le Pultree," 1477 (Ct. H.W. II. 575). " Poultrie" (S. 230).

In the 14th century, 13 Ed. III. 1339, it seems to have extended as far as the Leaden-hall east (Cal. L. Bk. F. p.39).

The butchers were not allowed to set up their stalls in the Poultry, 19 Ed. III. (Cal. L. Bk. F. p.125).

In 1444 a petition was presented to the Common Council protesting against the custom of the poulterers in keeping their live poultry in the markets of the City (ib. K. p. 289).

So called as being the market place for the poulterers, the street having been named after the market which was held here in early times.

Remains of a Roman pavement were found here, besides pottery, etc., under St. Mildred's Court, Roman shoes,. also a bronze fibula on the banks of the Walbrook, 30 ft. below the level of the Poultry.

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