OLD FISH MARKET

In the parishes of St. Mary Magdalene, St. Nicholas Cold abbey, and St. Nicholas Olave in Old Fish Street.

Earliest mention:Land in" veteri Piscaria," C. 1170 (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p.25).

In deeds of the reigns of Rich. I. and Henry III. mention is made of land in the" new Fish-market," near the church of St. Nicholas (ib. p.22).

"West fish-market" mentioned 1241-2 (Anc. Deeds, A. 7824).

In 1298, as at the other markets, two men were elected to see that the King's proclamation against enhancing the price of provisions was duly observed at the Old Fish Market (Cal.L. Bk. C. p. 55).

This formed the western fish-market of London, with Queenhithe as the landing-quay, until supplanted by Billingsgate.

In 1 H. V. an inquisition was taken before the Mayor and Aldermen into the bounds and limits of the fish market in" Oldefisshestrete," and the bounds are set out in Riley's Mem. p.598.

It is difficult to identify these bounds with accuracy as the tenements are described according to the names of their respective owners and not according to their location in the street

The western boundary was at the shop of John Trygge on the northern side of the street, and perhaps this shop might have been situated north of Trig Lane, adjoining St. Mary Magdalen's Church, which is mentioned later on in the Inquisition as the western boundary for the sale of "shotfisshe." The eastern boundary on the southern side was the tenement called " Swanne on the Hoope." If, as seems possible from the terms of the Inquisition, the market extended along the whole length of Old Fish Street, then this tenement would be at the south-east corner of the street at its junction with Bread Street.

The token of the Swann tavern in Ould Fish Streete is given in Burn, p.143, as issued in 1649-72.