OLD BROAD STREET

South from London Wall and Wormwood Street to No.53 Threadneedle Street (P.O. Directory). In Broad Street Ward.

Earliest mention:Lockie, 1810.

Former names: " Broad Street" (S. 132-Horwood, 1799). " Bradestrete," 1258-9 (Ct. H.W. I. 3). " Bradstrate," 1293 (Cal. L. Bk. C. p.12). " Brodestreete" (S. 176).

The street seems to have extended further south in early times, as in 1310-11 a house and shop are described as in "Bradestrete" in parish of St. Bartholomew the Less, (Ct. H.W. I. 218), which must be either the present Throgmorton Street or Threadneedle Street. Again, in 1385-6 tenements are described in parish of St. Christopher in Bradestrete (Ct. H.W. II. 251), which must be the present Threadneedle Street. Once more, 2 Rich. III. , tenements are described as in St. Christopher's parish near les Stokkes, between the high street of Cornhill south and Bradstrete north (Anc. Deeds, C. 3615), the present Threadneedle Street.

The part from Throgmorton Street south to Threadneedle Street was called at one time " Little Broad Street " (q.v.).

In early deeds the street was probably described as the " brad strete " from its size and importance, until in course of time this became its accepted designation.

The remains of a Roman pavement have been found under this street, near to its junction with Threadneedle Street, and another further north on the east side of the street.