Shepherd's Alley

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

1) West out of Old Bailey, in Farringdon Ward Without, south of Ship Court (O. and M. 1677).


Site now occupied by business houses.

2) South out of Upper Thames Street to Bull Wharf. In Vintry Ward (Elmes, 1831).

First mention: 1543 (L. and P. H. VIII. XVIII. Pt. I, p.202).

Other forms of name: " Sheppardes Alley," 1600-1 (Ct. H.W. II. 727). " Sheep-herds Alley" (Rocque, 1746). " Shepheards Alley" (Strype's maps, ed. 1720 and 1755). "Sheepshead Alley " (W. Stow, 1722).

In 1543 it is described as " Mede Lane " alias " Shepherds alley," but it can hardly be identified with "Mede Lane" alias "Maiden Lane," so that possibly the description is due to some confusion of names. The alley and wharf adjoining belonged to St. Bartholomew's Priory at this date (L. and P. H. VIII. XVIII. Pt. I, p.202).

The site is now occupied by the Falkirk Iron Warehouse (q.v.).

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