The Barge

   A large messuage and tenements in the parish of St. Stephen Walbrook on the south side of Bucklersbury, belonging to St. Thomas of Acons. In Cheap Ward.

   First mention: Granted to St. Thomas of Acres by will of Walter de Chesthunt, 1376 (Watney, 35), but not mentioned by name until deed of 1414," le Barge " (Watney, 268, quoting Cartulary, fo. 80).

   There were remains of the house to be seen in Stow's time (S. 262) divided and let out in tenements.

   The Mercers had houses there 34 H. VIII. 1543 (L. and P. H. VIII. XVIII. Pt. I, p.284).

   Stow says it was so called of the sign of the " olde Barge " hung out there, and that it was a common report that when the Walbrook was open, barges were rowed out of the Thames and towed up here, so that the place has ever since been called the " Olde barge " (S. 262).

   The memory of the past is still preserved in " Barge Yard " (q.v.).