On the north side of Newgate Street, between Butcher Hall Lane, now King Edward Street, and Roman Bath Street, called Bull Head Court in the 17th and 18th centuries (Strype, Ed. 1720, I. iii. 195). In Farringdon Ward Within.
First mention: " St. Nicholas de Westrnacekaria," 1196 (Anc. Deeds, A. 2507).
Other forms: "St. Nicholas apud Macellum," 12th century (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. 22). Retromacellum in par.sci.Nicholai," 44 H. III. (Add. Ch. 10661). "St. Nicholas Aldred," 1240-59 (MS. D. and C. St. Paul's, W.D. 9, f. 48b). " St. Nicholas Shambles," 1260 (Ct. H.W. I. 7). "St. Nicholas the Shambles," 1280 (Cal.L. Bk. A. p. 151). "St. Nicholas de Stallo," 13th century (MS. D. and C. St. Paul's, W.D. 12). "St. Nicholas de macellis," 14 Ed. I. (Anc. Deeds, B. 2215). " St. Nicholas without Newgate," 1294-5 (Ct. H.W. I. 119). " St. Nicholas masecreu," 28 Ed. I. (Cal. L. Bk. C. p.55). ," St. Nicholas Aldrethegate ad Macellas," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 230-5). " St. Nicholas de Bucher', towards Newgate," 1304 (Ct. H.W. I. 164). " St. Nicholas atte flesshameles," 1305 (ib. 171). " St. Nicholas atte Flehsshameles," 1305(St.) Nicholas Shambles (ib. 174). " St. Nicholas at the Shambles," 1348-9 (ib. 527). "St. Nicholas within Neugate," '349 (ib. 622). St. Nicholas en la Bocherie," 1352 (Cal. P.R. Ed. III.1350-4, p.195). " St. Nicholas atte Shameles," 4 Ed. III. (Ch. I. p.m. 91 (2)).
Church granted to the Mayor and citizens after the dissolution of the monasteries, temp. H. VIII. , the parish being incorporated into the newly formed parish of Christ Church, Newgate Street, 38 H. VIII. 1547 (L. and P. H. VIII. XXI. (2), p.416).
Church taken down and houses built on the site "in a Court with a wel" (S. 318).
This is called " Bull Head Court" (q.v.) in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The church was so named from its proximity to the butchers' quarter, known as "The Shambles "-" macellas," etc.
The name " Aldred" suggests a founder or rebuilder in the 13th century.