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Billingsgate (Bylynges gate or Belins Gate), a water-gate and harbour located on the north side
of the Thames between London Bridge
and the Tower of London, was
London’s principal dock in
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Billingsgate (Bylynges gate or Belins Gate), a water-gate and harbour located on the north side
of the Thames between London Bridge
and the Tower of London, was
London’s principal dock in
In the early Middle Ages, the port known as Queenhithe, located west of London Bridge, was the most important harbour for trade. However,
with the reconstruction of London
Bridge (1176–1209), water traffic had more difficulty travelling up
the Thames to Queenhithe. The
platforms called starlings that supported the pillars of the Bridge
significantly reduced the width of the river, making passage for ships more
difficult. Located east of London
Bridge, Billingsgate served as
a suitable alternative port and market for goods. However, in 1224, in order
to manage customs dues more efficiently,
Although, it was no longer London’s exclusive port, Queenhithe was still granted favour toward the end
of the Middle Ages. In 1463, when slackness in the raising of the London Bridge drawbridge discouraged
ships from travelling up the river to Queenhithe,
Over the years, as a result of the congestion caused by the Bridge, the use of Queenhithe decreased so drastically that, by 1603,
it was, as almost forsaken
(Stow 1:43). By this time, Billingsgate had risen to become London’s most important harbour.
is at this present a large Watergate, Port, or Harbrough, for shippes and boats, commonly arriuing there with fish, both fresh and salt, shell fishes, salt, Orenges, Onions, and other fruits and rootes, wheate, Rie, and graine of diuers sorts, for seruice of the Citie, and the parts of this Realm adioyning. This gate is now more frequented then of olde time, when the Queenes Hith was vsed
As fish became a more important part of the diet of Londoners, Billingsgate became increasingly
devoted to fish, which was sold from stalls and sheds near the dock (free
and open market for all sorts of fish
(qtd. in Borer 224).
In the 1600s, when England’s foreign trade increased fivefold, London was the most important port city in England, handling 69% of exports, 80% of imports, and 86% of re-exports (Sheppard 145). Thus, as the most important port in London, Billingsgate was the most important port in Early Modern England.
See also: Chalfant 40.