Chick Lane
Names
- Chick Lane
- Chikelane
- Chikenelane
- Chykenale
- Chikeneslane
- Cheke Lane
- West Street
- Chicken Lane
- Cheeke Lane
Street/Area/District
- Chick Lane
Maps & Views
- 1553-59 London (Strype, 1720): Chick Lane
- 1553-9 Londinum (Braun & Hogenberg, 1572): Chick Lane
- 1553-9 London ("Agas Map" ca. 1633): Chick Lane
- 1560 London (Jansson, 1657): Chick Lane
- 1593 London (Norden, 1653 - British Library): Chick Lane
- 1593 London (Norden, 1653 - Folger): Chick Lane
- 1666 London after the fire (Bowen, 1772): Chick Lane
- 1666 Plan for Rebuilding the City (Wren), 1724: Cheeke Lane
- 1666 Plan for Rebuilding the City (Wren), 1809: Chick Lane
- 1720 London (Strype): Chick Lane
- 1736 London (Moll & Bowles): Chick Lane
- 1746 London, Westminster & Southwark (Rocque): Chick Lane
- 1799 London (Horwood): Chick Lane or West Street
Descriptions
from A Dictionary of London, by Henry Harben (1918)
Chick Lane
West out of West Smithfield to Field Lane, in Farringdon Ward Without (Lockie, 1816).
First mention: "Chikelane," 22 Ed. I. (Ch. I. p.m. 22 Ed. I. m. 132).
Former names: "Chikenelane," 1280 (Ct. H.W. I. 50). "Chykenale," 1282 (ib. 60). "Chikeneslane" (Dugdale, IV. 83). Also called "Cheke Lane," 32 H. VIII. (L. and P. H. VIII. XVI. 715).
Stow calls it "Chicken lane downe to Cowbridge" (S. 382).
The Prior of Sempringham was allowed to enclose it, 22 Ed. I. (Ch. I. p.m. 132). Afterwards called West Street (Lockie and Elmes).
W. Stow, writing 1722, says, "Most of the inhabitants here buy and sell old cloaths."
Removed 1844. Charterhouse Street now occupies the site and the buildings of the London Central Markets, Smithfield.
from A New View of London, by Edward Hatton (1708)
Chick lane, betn Field lane W. and the Sheep Pens by Smithfield E.
from A Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster, by John Strype (1720)
Chich lane, an ordinary Place, both for Buildings and Inhabitants. It comes out of Smithfield by the Sheep Pens, and runneth down to Field lane. In this Lane are several Courts and Alleys: As Newcastle Street, or Durham Yard, pretty open to receive Carts and Coaches; having at the lower end a Yard for Stabling. And at the upper end is a passage into Katherine Wheel Yard, which is none of the best. Blue Boar Court, is ordinary, and ascended up by Steps. Churchyard Alley, but narrow and ordinary. At the upper end is a Churchyard which belongs to St. Sepulchre's Parish. Hide's Rents, a small open Court, very ordinary. Over aganst this Place is Cross Keys Court, also small and mean. St. Martin's Court, a pretty open Place, but ordinarily inhabited. White Horse Alley, narrow and ordinary. Out of this is a passage into Sharp's Alley, which leads to Cow Cross. Sun Alley, over against St. John's Court, very small. Thatcht Alley, narrow, small and mean. Sharp's Alley, but indifferent, having turning Passages; and falls into the lower end of Cow Cross as aforesaid. Opposite to this Place, is the Old Brewers Yard, but indifferent; and hath a passage into Holbourn, through the Kings Arms Inn.
from London and Its Environs Described, by Robert and James Dodsley (1761)
Chick lane, West Smithfield.
from Lockie's Topography of London, by John Lockie (1810)
Chick-Lane, Great Saffron-hill,—at 1, the first on the R. in Field-lane from Holborn-hill, leading to West-st. and Smithfield.