OLD JEWRY

North out of Poultry, at No.43, to Gresham Street (P.O. Directory). In Cheap Ward and Coleman Street Ward.

Earliest mention:" The Jewry," 1181, Inquisition as to Church of St. Olave (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p.68).

Other names and forms: " la Oldeiuwerie," 1327-8 (Ct. H.W. I. 329). " la Elde June," 1336 (ib. 412). " Jure " or" Jurye lane," 1 Eliz. 1559 (Lond. I. p.m. I. 190).

The name seems also to have been used to denote, besides the street, a district, as "Ward of the Old Jewry," 20 Ed. IV. (Ch. I. p.m. 65). Parish of "le olde Jurie," 12 Eliz. 1570 (Lond. I. p.m.II. 131).

Former names: "Colechurch Lane," "Sakfrere lane" (q.v.).

It was so named as being one of the quarters inhabited by the Jews in early times, and much of the property in the neighbourhood in the 13th century was in their possession, especially in Wood Street, Ladd Lane, Catte Street, Colechurch Street, and Ironmonger Lane.

In Stow's time at the north end of the Old Jewry was a large stone building occupying the site of the Jews' houses after the expulsion of the Jews from England, temp. Edward I. , and called the king's palace in the olde Jurie, 16 H. VI. , and in Stow's youth the "old Wardrope." Afterwards divers houses were built on the site (S. 284).

It was also called the Princes Wardrobe (Strype, Ed. 1720, I. iii. 57).

Perhaps this was identical with the palace of the principality (of Wales) in the Old Jewry mentioned in 1 H. VI. 1423 (Cal. P.R. H. VI. 1422-9, p.64).

Maitland says the Jews settled in Poor Jewry Lane Aldgate, and the neighbourhood, when they returned after their banishment by Edward I.

The street was widened in 1785, Mercers' School being removed for the purpose.