The Swan

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

1) Devised with two other messuages in Lower Thames Street and Botolph Lane by Sir John Leman in 1632 for the poor of the parish of St. Botolph Billingsgate, St. Mary at Hill and St. Michael, Crooked Lane (End. Ch. 1903, p.2).


Mentioned in Records of St. Mary at Hill under date 1500-1, " the Swane at Billyngesgate" (p.241).

The "Swann on the hope" lying in "temmystrete" in parish of St. Mary atte hill between the tenement of the lady Astrey west and tenement belonging to church of Seynt (blank) east, north-east a yard and entry into Love Lane, 1323 (ib. 3).

Called the " olde Swann," 1483-5 (p.113).

2) A messuage in Est Smythfeld, parish of St. Botolph without Aldgate, 1 Ed. VI. (Cal. L. and M. Ft. of Fines, II. 70).

Not further identified.

3) A messuage called "le Swan" within the gate of Newgate, lately extended, but with 16 feet of common soil intervening between it and the City wall as usual, 13 H. VI. (Cal. L. Bk. K. p.188).

A pipe bringing water from St. Bartholomew's Hospital to prisoners in Newgate was situate on the private soil of the messuage called " le Swan" (ib. 189).

Mentioned in 1540 (L. and P. H. VIII. XV. 379). "Ye Swanne" shown in "Plat of the Greyfriars," 1546 and 1617 in Trans. L. and M. Arch. Soc. V.421, adjoining Newgate.

Described as "behind the Shambles" in 1649 on a tradesman's token of that date (Burn, p.138).

See Swan Yard.

4) Sir John Tate in 1499 gave his Brewhouse called "the swan" for the enlargement of St. Anthony's church (S. 185).

No later mention.

5) North out of Holborn at Holborn Bridge, in Farringdon Ward Without (Lockie, 1816).

First mention: "The Swane at Holborne bridge in parish of St. Sepulchre, near the Spurrers house," 1 Eliz. (Lond. I. p.m. I. 188). " Swan Inn" (Hatton, 1708). "Swan Yard "in Horwood, 1799.

Site now covered by Holborn Viaduct and its approaches.

6) Inn and bakehouse adjoining called" the Swanne "without Bishopsgate mentioned in Marriage Settlement, 4 June, 19 Elin. (L.C.C. Deeds, Harben Bequest, 1500-1600, No.25).

See Swan Yard and One Swan Yard.

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