Seacoal Lane

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

East out of Farringdon Street at No.95 and north across Fleet Lane to the London, Chatham and Dover Railway lines (P.O. Directory). In Farringdon Ward Without.


First mention: In Pipe Roll, 1228. " Sacole lane," 1253 (Cal. P.R. H. III. 1247-58, p.198).

Other forms : " Sacolle lane," 1279-80 (Ct. H.W. I. 44). " Secoles lane," 1285 (ib. 71). " Secole lane," 1289 (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p.24). " Secolelane," otherwise "Secow lane," 1578 (Ct. H.W. II. 696). " Seacole Lane," 1646 (ib. 763).

Before the formation of the railway lines in the 19th century the lane extended north to Snow Hill.

Riley suggests that it was so named of sea coal landed there from barges on the Flete River, shiploads being brought into London, as appears from Pat. Roll, H. III. 1257 (Mem. xvi., note).

Stow suggests that it was formerly called " Limeburners Lane," but this cannot be so as both lanes are mentioned separately by name in the Ct. of H. Wills in 1308 (I. 204) and 1339-40 (ib. 436).

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