(ST.) BOTOLPH BILLINGSGATE

   On the south side of Thames Street, between Botolph Wharf and Cock's key (Leake, 1666). In Billingsgate Ward.

   Earliest mention found in records : "St. Botolph," Inquisition there 1181 (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. App. p. 68).

   Forms of name : "St. Botolph, Billingesgate," temp. John (Anc. Deeds, A. 1666). "S. Botolph towards Billingesgate," 1279-80 (Ct. H. W. I. 46). "S. Botolph without Billyngesgate" (ib. 115), 1294. "Sci Botulphi de Billingesgate," 1285 (MSS. D. and C. St Paul's, Lib. L. ff. 115-18). "S. Botolph at Retheresgate," 1296 (Ct. H.W. I. 129). "S. Botolph apud Billingesgate," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 228). "Sancti Botulphi super Thamisiam," 1325 (Cal. P.R. Ed. II. 1324-7, p. 132).

   The existence of St. Botolph's gate on the Thames in the time of William the Conqueror suggests that the church may have been erected long before the earliest record given above, as it seems more probable, as Stow suggests, that the gate or wharf should be named from the church, than that the church should be named from the gate.\Repaired and beautified 1624. Destroyed in the Great Fire and was to be rebuilt. Part of the site was, however, required to be thrown into the passage leading to St. Botolph's Wharf and part for the widening of Thames Street, 1668, so that it was decided eventually not to rebuild the church (L. and P. Chas. II. 1667-8. p. 182), and the parish was united to St. George, Botolph Lane.\A vicarage. Patron : the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's.\The church seems to have come into the hands of the Dean and Chapter in the 12th century by the gift of Orgar the deacon, who gave them the churches of St. Martin and St. Botulf (H. MSS. Com. 9th Report, 16 and 63).\Site now covered by warehouses.