Historical Dictionary of London

KING WILLIAM STREET

South from Lombard Street, at No. 6, to Adelaide Place, London Bridge (P.O. Directory).
Extends through Langbourn, Candlewick, Walbrook and Bridge Within Wards, running first in a south-easterly direction to Cannon Street and then south to the Bridge.
Erected under Act of Parliament 1829, passed to provide for the formation of the approaches to the new London Bridge.
Named after King William IV.
Among the buildings and streets demolished for its formation may be enumerated the following : Church of St. Michael Crooked Lane and Churchyard ; eastern portion of Lamb Alley ; northern end of Sherborne Lane; central portions of Nicholas Lane and Abchurch Lane ; northern end of St. Swithin's Lane ; western end of Eastcheap ; Lamb Court ; Fox Ordinary Court ; eastern end of Crooked Lane.
Widened 1881-4 under the Metropolitan and District Railways (City lines and Extensions) Act, 1882, by the railway companies, the Metropolitan Board of Works contributing £500,000 to the cost.
Roman walls were found under both sides of the street at a depth of 14-20 feet. No highway was apparent in the line of the street (Arch. XXVIII. 140).