Fleet Street: translation
West from Ludgate Circus to the Strand at Temple Bar (P.O. Directory). In Farringdon Ward Without.
First mention found in records : "Fletestrete," 1274 (Ct. H.W. I. 19).
Other forms : "In vico de Fletebrigge," 12 H. III. (Lib. Albus, I. 86). "In Vico de fleta," 1285 (MS. D. and C. St. Paul's, Lib. L. f. 93). "King's highway" of Fleet, 13 Ed. I. (Cal. Close R. 1279-88, p. 376).
In the 14th century in 7 Rich. II. a grant of pavage for three years was made for paving and repair of Fletestrete from Temple Bar to the Savoye (Cal. P.R. Rich. II. 1384, p. 411), and it appears from this and other records that in early times Fleet Street was more extensive than at present and stretched from Ludgate to the Savoy, occupying the site both of the present Ludgate Hill and of the Strand.
See Ludgate Hill
Stow says that in excavations made in Fleet Street in 1597 piles of timber were found, black as pitch, proving the marshy nature of the ground (S.296-7), and after the Fire tile levels of the street and quays, etc., were raised, 1668 (L. and P. Chas. II. 1667-8, p. 526).
The "Menterhous" was in this street in early times, 1309 (Cal. L. Bk. C. p. 183), probably belonging to the Meneters or Mintors, and it has long been the resort of well-known Bankers, and Banking-houses, some of which are still to be found rebuilt on their old sites.
The street was always celebrated for its taverns and sign-boards. But perhaps the most interesting house now existing in the street is No. 17, over the Inner Temple Gateway, sometimes called the Inner Temple Gate-house, which was acquired by the London County Council in 1898-9 and restored so that the upper portion of the old front, which had been covered over, is now disclosed to view as it existed on the rebuilding of the premises in 1611. The staircase and many architectural details in the upper rooms belong to the same period.
The ground floor is modern, as in rebuilding it was set back to widen the thoroughfare.
The house is frequently referred to in deeds preserved in the Inner Temple records, and allusions in these records, together with the fact that the ceiling of the front room on the first floor was designed in honour of Prince Henry, son of James I., has led to the belief that this room was used as the Council Chamber for the Duchy of Cornwall at that date. It is described in 1621 as "His highness Counsell Chamber in Fleetestreete" (H. MSS. Com. 15th Rep. 282).
This room is now preserved and set apart for the use of the public. An interesting account of the house will be found in H.C. Mag. Vol. II. Nos. 7 and 8.
Fleet Street was greatly altered in the 18th century by the removal of Temple Bar and the widening of the thoroughfare which was then carried out.
A tradesman's token issued 1666-72 is inscribed "New Fleete Street." Probably the term was applied to the new buildings east of Fetter Lane, re-erected after the Fire of 1666.
The Great Fire 1666 stopped at Fetter Lane, and Nos. 184-5 Fleet Street were left standing as noteworthy examples of Tudor domestic architecture.
Named after the Fleet (q.v.).