The Ropary

   A part of Thames Street in the parishes of All Hallows the Great and All Hallows the Less, and perhaps including All Hallows lane, which was not called by that name until the 16th century. There seem to have been two portions of the street, one called "Roperia" or "la Roperie," 1307 (Cal. L. Bk. C. p.207, and Ch. I. p.m 46 Ed. III. 62), and the other" Parva Roperia" (Ch. I. p.m. 49 Ed. III. 74).

   First mention " Roperestrete," 56 H. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 10402).

   Other names and forms: "Vicum regium cordariorum," 1280 (Ct. H.W. I. 99). The Ropery" (Corderia), 30 Ed. I. (Cal. L. Bk. C. 112). Street called " La Roperie," 1307 (ib. 207). "La Corderie," 1308 (Ct. H.W. I. 199). " The Ropery" (Roperii), 1310-11 (Cal. L. Bk. D. p.136). " Ropereslane," 1313 (Ct. H.W. I. 242). "Street of the Corders," 1326 (ib. 318). " Roperia," 46 Ed. III. (Ch. I. p.m. 62). "Parva Roperia," 49 Ed. III. (Ch. I. p.m. 74). " La Roperye," 1379 (Ct. H.W. II. 208).

   The name " Roperestrete " is found as late as 1456 (Cal. P.R. 34 H. VI. 1452-61, p. 284).

   The early form of the name in Latin documents was "vicum regium cordariorum," being that quarter of the city mainly inhabited in early times by the corders or rope-makers, and called from that circumstance both " Cordaria," " Corderie," " Roparia," "Roperie," etc. The street seems also to have been known as " Roperestrete," or "Ropereslane," but it must not be overlooked in this connection that the second " e" in the names would be sounded, giving the pronunciation" Roperystrete" or" Roperylane."

   In 1408 mention is made of the Ward of Ropery, which suggests that the name indicated not merely a street, but the whole area inhabited by the corders (Cal. P.R. H. IV. 1408-13, p.38).

   As indicated above, the name" Cordery "is derived from the Latin word" cordarius," Coderius," while "ropary" comes from the English equivalent "roper" or "Rope-maker," derived from O.E. "ráp " = rope.

   Other districts were named in a similar way after the traders who inhabited them, as the " Mercery," the " Goldsmithery," the " Poultry," the " Frippery," etc. (q.v.).