Old Dean's Lane

   Identified with Warwick Lane (q.v.).

   First mention: " Eldesdenes lane," 41 H. III. (MS. D. and C. St. Paul's, Press A. Box 23, No.1679).

   Other forms : " Venella Veteris Decani," called also " Eldedenes lane," temp. H. III. (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p.9). "Vicus veteris Decani," 1285 (MS. D. and C. St. Paul's, Lib. L. f. 115). "Aldedenes lane," temp. Ed. I. (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. 9). "Heldesdeneslan," 14 Ed. I. (MSS. D. and C. St. Paul's, Press A, Box 23, 1669). " Oldedenes lane," 1364-5 (Ct. H.W. II. 85). " Alden's lane," now called " Warwicke Lane," '555 (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. 9). " Eldens lane alias vocata Warwik lane," 1513 (ib. 9b).

   In most of these entries the lane is described as in the parishes of St. Faith or St. Sepulchre, and as the original parish of St. Sepulchre extended within Newgate, occupying part of what is now Christ Church parish, there is no difficulty in identifying it with the present Warwick Lane.

   But there is one record, not noted above, relating to a lane called " Elden Lane" in the parish of St. Martin Ludgate, and if this is to be regarded as identical with "Eldedenes lane," "Alden's lane," etc., then Warwick Lane must in early times have extended further south than at present and have included what is now " Ave Mary Lane." This is not impossible, as the earliest record of this later name only dates back to Stow.

   See Elden Lane.