FISHER'S FOLLY

   In Bishopsgate Street, in Bishopsgate Ward Without.

   A house built by Jasper Fisher, one of the six clerks in Chancery. It afterwards belonged to the Earl of Oxford and in Stow's time to Sir Roger Manars (S. 167).

   Mockingly called Fisher's folly, he being a man of no great possessions and indebted to many (ib.).

   Capital messuage, buildings, yards, etc., at Bishopsgate, formerly the six gardens late purchased of Martin Bowes, etc., belonging to Jasper Fisher, 22 Eliz. 1580 (Lond. I. p.m. III. p. 19).

   He also had possession of an alley called "Toddes alley" with houses, etc., at Bishopsgate, 22 Eliz. 1580 (ib.) which formerly belonged to the priory or new hospital of St. Mary without Bishopsgate, 32 H. VIII. 1540 (L. and P. H. VIII. XV. p. 411).

   In the 17th century the house was occupied by the Earls of Devonshire as their town house and called Devonshire House (q.v.).