DOWGATE WARD

   One of the twenty-six wards of the City, lying between Walbrook Ward north, Candlewick and Bridge Within Wards east, and Vintry Ward west, and extending south down to the river.

   First mention: "Warda de Douegate," 3 Ed. I. (Rot. Hund. I. 421).

   Named after the gate of Dowgate (q.v.).

   In 1320 it was the richest ward in the City, as appears from the amounts levied in each ward for the twelfth to be collected that year (Cal. L. Bk. E. p. 124), but in 1368-9 it had given way in this respect to Cheap and Cordwainer Wards (Cal. L. Bk. G. p. 251).

   In Stow's time it contained the two parish churches of All Hallows the Great and All Hallows the Less, besides five halls of companies : Tallow Chandlers' ; Skinners' ; Innholders' ; Joiners' and Dyers' Halls, and the Steelyard.

   The appearance of a considerable portion of the ward has been materially altered in recent times by the erection of Cannon Street Station, and the extension of the railway lines in place of the ancient steelyard, etc. (q.v.). The churches have disappeared, having been united to St. Martin Vintry, and St. Michael Paternoster Royal, so that there is now no parish church in the ward. The three halls of the Tallow Chandlers, the Skinners and the Innholders are still in existence.

   See Brocesgange (Warda) and Wards.