Bow Lane

   1) South out of Cheapside at No. 58, to Cannon Street and Queen Victoria Street (P.O. Directory). In Cheap Ward and Cordwainer Ward.

   Formerly extended south across Queen Victoria Street to Great St. Thomas Apostle. This southern portion is now called Garlick Hill.

   First mention: "Hosyer Lane," alias "Bowe Lane," in parish of St. Mary at Bowe in ward of Cordewayner Strete, 30 H. VIII. 1538 (L. and P. H. VIII. XIII. Pt. 2, p. 408).

   Other references : " Cordwainer street," corruptly called "Bow Lane" (S. 270). "Bowe Lane," as they now call it (S. 253).

   It will be seen from these references that the original names were Cordwainer Street and Hosier Lane (q.v.).

   Named Bow Lane after St. Mary le Bow.

   Remains of walls and pavements have been found under the street in the course of excavations (Arch. XIX. 146).

   2) In the parish of St. Michael Paternosterchurch = College Street and Little College Street (q.v.).

   Earliest mention: "la Bowelane," 11 Ed. II. 1317 (Cal. L. Bk. E. p. 78). "Eldebowelane," 17 Ed. III. (Lib. Cust. II. 450). "Boghelane," 36 Ed. III. 1362 (Cal. P.R. Ed. III. 1361-4, p. 217).

   Said to have been built by Geoffrey le Botiller, draper, as a public way. In 17 Ed. III complaint was made that part of the lane had been shut up, to the public hurt (Lib. Cust II. 450) (G. le Bottiler's will dated 1348, proved 1349).

   The name Bow Lane appears as late as 2 H. VIII. 1510 (Lond. I. p.m. I. 74).

   See College Street.