MoEML

From John Stow, A Survey of London, 2nd ed. (London, 1603; STC #23343):

THe next is Cordwainer ſtreet warde, taking that name of Cordwainers, or Shoemakers, Curriars, and workers Leather dwelling there: for it appeareth in the records of H. the 6. the ninth of his raigne, that an order was taken then for Cordwainers and Curriars in Corney ſtreete, and Soparslane.

This warde beginneth in the Eaſt, on the weſt ſide of Walbrooke, and runneth weſt through Budge Row (a ſtreet ſo called of Budge, Furre, and of Skinners dwelling there) then up by S. anthonies Church through Aetheling (or Noble ſtreet) as Leyland termeth it, commonly called Wathling ſtreete, to the red Lion, a place ſo called of a great Lion of Timber placed there at a Gate: entring a large Court, wherein are diuerſe fayre and large ſhoppes well furniſhed with broade cloathes, and other draperies of all forts to be ſolde, and this is the fartheſt Weſt part of this ward.

On the South ſide of this ſtreete from Budge Row, lieth a lane turning downe by the weſt gate of the Tower Royall, and to the ſouth ende of the ſtone Wall beyond the ſaid gate, is of this ward, and is accounted a part of the Royall ſtreete, agaynſt this weſt gate of the Tower Royall, is one other lane, that runneth weſt to Cordwainer ſtreete, and this is called Turnebaſe lane: on the ſouthſide whereof is a peece of Wringwren lane, to the Northweſt corner of Saint Thomas Church the Apoſtle. Then againe out of the high ſtreete called Wathling, is one other ſtreete which runneth thwart the ſame, and this is Cordwainer ſtreete, whereof the woole warde taketh name: this ſterete beginneth by Weſt Cheape, and Saint Marie Bow church is the head thereof on the weſt ſide, and it runneth downe ſouth through that part which of later time was called Hoſier lane, now Bow lane, and then by the weſt end of Aldmary Church, to the new builded houſes, in place of Ormond houſe, and ſo to Garlicke hill, or hith, to Saint Iames Church. The upper part of this ſtreete towards Cheape was called Hoſiar lane of hoſiars dwelling ther in place of Shoomakers: but now thoſe hoſiers being worne out by men of other trades (as the Hoſiars had worne out the Shoomakers) the ſame is called Bow lane of Bow Church. On the weſt ſide of Cornewainers ſtreet is Baſing lane, right ouer againſt Turne baſſe lane. This Baſing lane weſt to the backe gate of the red Lion, in Wathling ſtreete, is of this Cordwainers ſtreete warde.

Now againe on the north ſide of the high ſtreet in Budge row, by the Eaſt end of S. Anthonies church, haue ye S. Sithes lane, ſo called of S. Sithes Church, (which ſtandeth againſt the North end of that lane) and this is wholy of Cordwainers ſtreete ward: alſo the ſouth ſide of Needlers lane, which reacheth from the north end of Saint Sithes lane, weſt to Soperslane, then weſt from ſaint Anthonies Church is the ſouth ende of Sopars lane, which lane tooke that name, not of Sope-making, as ſome haue ſuppoſed, but of Alen le Sopar, in the ninth of Edward the ſecond. I haue not read or heard of Sope making in this Cittie till within this foureſcore yeares, that Iohn Lame dwelling in Graſſeſtreete, ſet up a boyling houſe for this Citie, of former time, was ſerued of white Sope in hard Cakes (called Caſtell ſope, and other) from beyond the ſeas, and of gray ſope, ſpeckeled with white, uerie ſweete and good, from Briſtow, ſolde here for a pennie the pound, and neuer aboue pennie farthing, and blacke ſope for a halfe pennie the pounde. Then in Bowe Lane (as they now call it) is Gooſe lane, by Bow Church, VVilliam Eſſex Mercer had Tenements there in the 26. of Edward the thirde.

Then from the ſouth end of Bow lane, by Wathling ſtreete, till ouer againſt the red Lion: And theſe bee the bounds of Cordwainer ſtreet warde.