Cornhill: translation
From Mansion House east to No. 1 Gracechurch Street (P.O. Directory). In Cornhill Ward.
One of the principal streets of the City.
Earliest mention: "Cornhilla," c. 1125-1130 (MSS. D. and C. St. Paul's, Hist. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p. 61).
See Cornhill, Soke of.
Edward Hupcornehill was a burgess in 1115 (S. 123), in 1125 (Cal. L. Bk. C. p. 219) "Upcornehill."
In early times, and so late as the 16th century, Cornhill seems to have extended further east and to have included part of Leadenhall Street to Lime Street and St.Andrew Undershaft Church (S. 152), in which case it would have included both the eastern and western slopes of the "hill," whereas now the name is used to designate the western slope only.
The church of St. Andrew Undershaft for instance is referred to in early records as St. Andrew upon Cornhill (See St. Andrew Undershaft).
Foreign bakers were directed to stand in Cornhylle between the Conduit and Ledynhalle, 15 H. VI. (1437) (Cal. L. Bk. K. p. 45).
In the 14th century it was the only market allowed to be held after noon.
Stow says a corn market had been held here time out of mind (S. 188), and that in 1522 the Rippers of Rie and other places sold their fresh fish in Leadenhall Market, upon Cornhill, but forraine butchers were not admitted there to sell flesh till 1533 (ib.).
There are numerous references to the market held on Cornhill in Liber Albus, Liber Custumarum and the Letter Books.
The principal features of interest distinguishing the street were "The Weyhouse" (S. 193) ; The Standard ; The Tun (q.v.), and later the Royal Exchange.
Largely occupied by drapers (S. 82, 200).
Cornhill was one of the four ways forming "the Carfax" (q.v.) referred to in the City records.
Roman wall and pavement found between Bank Buildings and the Royal Exchange, apparently running in the direction of the Bank, 7 ft. thick, 14 ft. high, and 20 ft. deep from the bottom to the street level. Pottery also found (Arch. XXIX. 273). Roman walls also found at No. 50, at a depth of 12 ft. 7 in. (Arch. LX. 223).