Old Artillery Ground

   Extends from Middlesex Street south to Spital Square north, east of Bishopsgate Street, outside the eastern boundary of Bishopsgate Ward Without (O.S. 1880).

   The bounds are set out in Letters Patent, Jas. II. , transcribed in Bayley's History of the Tower, II. App. p. cxxi. , and in O. and M. map, 1677, it is shown as an open space called" Old Artillery Garden" and included within the City boundary.

   Stow says that it was used by the Gunners of the Tower every week for artillery practice (S. Ed. 1603, 167-8), and Strype tells us that the ground was let out for this purpose on a long lease by William, the last Prior of St. Mary Spital (Ed. 1720, I. ii. 96).

   According to Stow it was formerly called Tasell close and Tasels planted there for the use of Clothworkers, but afterwards used for archery practice (S. 167-8).

   Archers were forbidden to shoot there 1677 (L. and P. Chas. II. Dom. S. XVIII. p.533).

   The site is now covered with streets and courts.