ALDERMANBURY

   North out of Gresham Street at No.69 to 16 London Wall (P.O. Directory). In Cripplegate Ward Within.

   Earliest mention found in records: In early times there was a soke of this name "Aldresmanesberi," mentioned in a list of property in London belonging to St. Paul's (c. 1130), (MSS. D. and C. St. Paul's, Liber L. ff. 47-50), and it is probable that the earliest references are to the district or to the church of St. Mary, rather than to the street.

   Other forms of name : " Aldermanesbury," Ric. I. (Anc. Deeds, A. 1952). " Aldermannebury," 4 John (ib. A. 1502). "Aldermannesbury," temp. John (ib. A. 1501). "Aldermanburi," Is John (ib. A. 6884). "Lane called Aldermanbury," 10 Ed. 111.1336 (Cal. Close R. Ed. III.1333-7, p.653). See under (St.) Mary Aldermanbury.

   There are frequent references temp. Ed. I. and Ed. III. to the "Capital messuage" of Aldermannebury and to "manerium" or "managium" de Aldermanbury, but it does not seem to have been in existence in Stow's time. It has been suggested by Stow that the first Guildhall was on the east side of the present Aldermanbury (Street) further west than the later building, and that the district received its name as being adjacent to, or, as having within its precincts, the "bury" or "court" of the aldermen of the city.

   The northern portion of the street from Addle Street to London Wall was called" Gay-spore lane" until about the middle of the 18th century. See Gayspur Lane.