![]() From John Stow, A Survey of London, 2nd ed. (London, 1603; STC #23343): The ſecond ward within the wall on the eaſt part is called Aldgate ward, as taking name of the ſame Gate: the principall ſtreet of this warde beginneth at Aldgate, ſtretching well to ſometime a fayre Well, where now a pumpe is placed: from thence the way being diuided into twain, the firſt & principall ſtreet caled Aldgate ſtreet, runneth on the ſouthſide to Limeſtreet corner and halfe that ſtreete downe on the left hand, is alſo of that warde. In the mid way on that South ſide, betwixt Aldgate and Limeſtreet, is Hart horne Alley, a way that goeth through into Fenchurch ſtreete ouer againſt Northumberland houſe. Then haue ye the Bricklayers hall and an other Alley called Sprinckle Alley, now named Sugar-loafe Alley, of the like ſigne. Then is there a faire houſe, with diuerſe tenements neare adioyning, ſometime belonging to a late diſſolued Priorie ſince poſſeſſed by Miſtreſſe Cornewallies, widow, and her heyres, by the gift of king Henry the eight, in reward of fine puddings (as it was commonly ſayd) by hir made, wherewith ſhe had preſented him. Such was the princely liberalyty of thoſe times. Of later time, Sir Nicholas Throgmorton knight, was lodged there. Then ſomewhat more Weſt is Belzettars lane, ſo called of the firſt builder and owner thereof, no corruptly called Billitar lane, betwixt this Belzettars lane, and Limeſtreete, was of later time a frame of three fayre houſes, ſet up in the yeare 1590. in place where before was a large Garden plot incloſed from the highſtreete with a Bricke wall, which wall being taken downe, and the ground digged deepe for Cellerage, there was found right under the ſayd Bricke wall an other wall of ſtone, with a gate arched of ſtone, and Gates of Timber, to be cloſed in the midſt towards the ſtreete, the tymber of the Gates was conſumed, but the Hinges of yron ſtill remayned on their ſtaples on both the ſides. Moreouer in that wall were ſquare windowes with bars of yron on either ſide the gate, this wall was under ground about two fathomes deepe, as I then eſteemed it, and ſeemeth to bee the ruines of ſome houſe burned in the raigne of king Stephen, when the fire began in the houſe of one Alewarde neare London ſtone, and conſumed Eaſt to Aldgate, whereby it appeareth how greatly the ground of this Citie hath beene in that place rayſed.-- Transcribed by Melanie Chernyk and Janelle Day Jenstad, 2004. |