LA BRODESELDE

A shed or warehouse, in the parish of St. Pancras in Cheapside, in the mercery, in Cheap Ward.

First mention:"Great seld of Roysia de Coventre," 1300-1 (Cal. L. Bk. C. p. 87), andSeeCt. H.W. I. 275.

Described by Sharpe in a note as the Great or Broad Seld, which was let out in compartments to various people from time to time, as shown in the Hustings Roll, 41 (77), where it is called "la Broselde."

Qther references : "la Brodeselde," 5 Ed. II. (1311) (Cal. L. Bk. D. p. 269).

It was probably situated at the north-east corner of Soper Lane, as a shop and chamber "Warechambre" adjacent in Soperislane are described as opposite "la Brodeselde" in 36 Ed. III. (Cal. L. Bk. G. p. 137).

It seems to have been of considerable importance in the 16th century, and is referred to by Henry Machyn in his diary as the "brod selle." It was alleged against the Duke of Somerset in 1551 that he had conspired to take the Tower and the "brod-selle" and to destroy the city (p. 10).

In 1559 mention is made of the lord keeper of the "brod selle" (p. 203).

From these entries it would appear to have been a place of note in the City at this time, like Blackwell Hall.