A messuage and shops in the street of Dowgate (Dowgate Hill) in parish of St. John de Walebrock, called "la coppedehall."
Earliest mention: 51 H. III. It was in the occupation of Julian Hardel, and was rented of him by John Renger (Earl. Ch. 50, G. 49).
In 1292 the houses belonged to Roger de Dreyton, clerk, who directed that they should be sold (Ct. H.W. I. 106).
From an Inquis. p.m., taken 19 Ed. II., it appears that the messuage at that time belonged to Ralph de Cobham, and was somewhat in need of repair (Ch. I. p.m. 19 Ed. II. 93).
It is mentioned in the P.R. of H. IV. 1409 (Cal. P.R. H. IV. 1408-10, p. 58).
From the records of the Skinners' Co. it appears that they were in possession of the Copped hall temp. H. III., but that it afterwards became alienated and became the property of Ralph de Cobham. He left it to K. Edward III., who reinstated the Skinners in their ancient purchase about the time the Company was incorporated.
The hall afterwards became the Hall of the Company, and was known as Skinners Hall (q.v.) (Herbert, II. 327).
The Old English word "cop" = "top," "summit," and the participle "copped" = polled, tipped, having the head cut off, which would seem to suggest that the original messuage had either been built with a flat roof, or had been reduced to this form by fire or storm, because the form of the name as it appears in the records can hardly be referred to the noun "cop," unless the "d" is regarded as merely intrusive, when the meaning might be that of a hall with a high pinnacled roof, or it might be so named as being on the summit of Dowgate Hill, before its descent to the Thames.