(St.) Benet Sherehog

   On the north side of Pancras Lane, opposite Sise Lane, in Cheap Ward (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 50). Parish extends into Cordwainer Ward.

   First mention found in records : "Alfwinus sacerdos Scerehog," occurs in deed of 1111-31 (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. 61b).

   Seems also to be called "St. Benedict the Less" (q.v.), temp. Rich. I. and John.

   Other forms : "St. Benedict Schorhog," c. 1227-37 (Anc.Deeds, A.1660). "St. Benedict Shorhog," c. 1227-37 (ib. A. 2571). "Scherehog," c. 1224-41 (ib. A. 7360). "St. Benedict Serhog," H. III. (ib. A. 1657). "St. Benedict Sorhog," 1260 (Ct. H.W. I. 8). "St. Benedict Sorhogg," 1275 (ib. 26). "St. Benedict Schorhoc," 1277-8 (ib. 30). "St. Benedict Schorog," 1277-8 (ib. 33). "St. Benedict Schorehog," 1281 (ib. 52). "St. Benedict Shorrehogge," 1297-8 (ib. 130). "St. Benedict Schorhogge," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 228). "St. Benedict Schorhog," Ed. I. (Anc. Deeds, A. 1890). "St. Benedict Shorhog," 1377 (Ct. H.W. II. 196). "St. Benedict Schorhogge," 1393 (ib. 302). "St. Benedict Shorhogg," 1398-9 (ib. 338). "St. Benet Shorehog, Sherehog," c. 1500-1521 (Arnold's Chronicle, p.77).

   The church was also dedicated to St. Osyth or Sythe, and in 1122 one of the witnesses to a deed belonging to St. Paul's was named Fulk de Sancta Osyde (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p. 65). Mr. Loftie is of opinion that the name was derived from this church.

   "St. Cite's (Osyth's)," 30 Ed. III. 1356 (Cal. Cl. R. Ed. III. 1354-60, p. 295). "St. Osith" (Citha), 31 Ed. III. 1357 (ib. 424). "Sancte Cidis," 32 Ed. III. 1358 (ib. 517). "St. Benet Shorog and St. Osyth (Seinte Site)," in ward of Chepe, 33 Ed. III. 1363 (ib. 1360-4, p. 546). "St. Sith," 6 H. IV. (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p. 24). "Benet Sherehog," called "Seint Sithes," c. 1500-1521 (Arnold's Chron. p. 248). "Seynt Syth in Boclerysbury" (Fabyan's Chr. p. 295). "S. Sithes" (S. 253).

   Chapels of St. Mary and S. Sithe in the church, 1348-9 and 1398-9 (Ct. H. Wills I. 534, and ib. II. p. 338).

   Church repaired and beautified 1628 (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 27).

   Burnt in the Fire and not rebuilt, the parish being united to St. Stephen, Walbrook, and the site used as a burial ground (ib. 28).

   A Rectory. Patrons : Canons of St. Mary Overy, Southwark.

   Stow suggests that the addition was "Shorne," or corruptly "Shrog," or "Shorehog," after Benedict Shorne, Stock fishmonger, a new builder of the church in the reign of Ed. II. (S. 262-3). But as it was so called nearly a hundred years before that time, the suggestion is for this reason, if for no other, an impossible one.

   Another suggestion, which is supported by Dr. R. R. Sharpe in his Calendar of Wills II. 196, is that the word is derived from "Shearhog" or "shearling," the north-country designation of a ram being one and a half to two years old. But the earliest forms "Schor" or "Sor" are against this derivation.

   Perhaps the most plausible suggestion is that made by the late Mr. Loftie, in his "London," p. 159, that the appellation was derived from a family named Serehog, residing in the neighbourhood, Willelmus Serehog being mentioned as a witness to a deed of the 12th century, relating to the church of St. John Walbrook (Hist. MSS. Com, 9th Rep. 63b).

   The name St. Osyth survived in Sise Lane (q.v.).