Little Britain

   West out of Aldersgate Street at 197, and north to Smithfield (P.O. Directory). In Aldersgate Ward and Farringdon Ward Without.

   First mention: "Little Britain Street," 1600 (L. and P. Ed. VI., etc., V. p. 437).

   Former names and forms : "Brettone strete," 1329 (Ct. H.W. I. 350). "Britten Strete," 38 H. VIII. (L. and P. H. VIII. XXI. (2), p. 414). "Peti bretane," 1550-1 (Staples, p. 21), quoting Minister's Accounts, 2 and 3 Ed. VI. "Pety Bryttayne," 1561 (Lond. I. p.m. III. 85). "Briton street" (S. 306). "Lyttell Bretton," 1601-2 ; "Little Brytayne," 1616-17 (H. MSS. Com. Buccleuch, p. 214).

   Took that name of the Dukes of Briton lodging there (S. 311).

   This would refer to the Dukes of Brittany, who are supposed to have had their mansion and garden in this street, extending to the Town ditch. There is a large house and garden shown here on Braun and Hogenberg's map, c. 1570, which may have been the house indicated by Stow.

   It is interesting to note that the northern portion of Little Britain from St. Bartholomew's Hospital to West Smithfield was formerly called Duke Street (q.v.) or Duke Lane by Stow.