Benedict (St.) - Bengal Court

Benedict (St.)

Rent in the parish of St. Benedict granted to Peter the prior and the canons of Holy Trinity out of the land formerly held by Alfred Finacat (Anc. Deeds, A. 7294), c. 1200-1224.

Not further identified.

Benedict (St.) ad ripam

See Benet (St.) Paul's Wharf.

Benedict (St.) Algar

" Ecclesia sancti Benedicti Algar," Patrons : the Canons of St Paul, mentioned in the Register of Fulk Basset, (1241-59). (MS. D. and C. St. Paul's W.D. 9, fol. 48b)=St. Benet, Paul's Wharf (q.v.).

Benedict (St.) at Castle Baynard

See Benet (St.) Paul's Wharf.

Benedict (St.) Cornhill

Mentioned temp. H. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 2122), 2139.

Qy.=Benet (St.) Fink.

Benedict (St.) super Hetham in huda

See Benet (St.) Paul's Wharf.

Benedict (St.) the Less

Grant of a stone house in this parish by Hugh de Yspania to Richard his brother. Temp. Rich. I. or John (Anc. Deeds, A. 1639).

This may be St. Benedict Sherehog, as in later deeds the stone house of the wife of Richard de Hispania stood in the parish of St. Benedict Sherehog (ib. A. 1621, 1660).

Benedict (St.) the West

See Benet (St.) Paul's Wharf.

Benet (St.) at, or del Wodewharf

See Benet (St.) Paul's Wharf.

Benet (St.) Fink

On the south side of Threadneedle Street in Broad Street Ward (Elmes, 1831).

Earliest mention found in records : St. Benet Finck, 1216 (Cott. MS. Faust. B. 11). Parish of "St. Benedict Fink" by Cornhill, 36 H. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 1922).

Stow says it was new built by Robert Finke the Elder (who lived in Finch Lane), and named after him (S. 184). From the Cott. MS. Faustina, B. II. fol. 8o, it appears that Rosamund Finke gave her stone house in parish of St. Benet Finck to Clerkenwell Priory, and that Priory regranted it to Robert, son of Robert Finke.

The house of Alwini Fink was in the parish in 1285 (MSS. D. and C. St. Paul Lib. L. 93).

The church is called "S. Bndci Wink" in this MS. "S. Benedict Fyngh, 1311 (Ct. H.W. I. 223).

Repaired 1633. Burnt in the Great Fire and rebuilt by Wren 1679. Taken down 1842-4 for the New Royal Exchange, and the parish united to St. Peter le Poor, and the monuments removed to that church.

A Rectory. Patrons : John de Nevyle, 10 Ed. I. (Ch. I. p.m.).

Newcourt says this family probably gave the advowson to the Hospital of St. Anthony. At any rate it was appropriated to the Hospital by the Bishop of London 1440 (Rep. I. 299).

In 1474 it was given by Ed. IV. to the Collegiate Church of St. George's Windsor, in whose hands it has since remained (ib.).

See Benedict (St.) Cornhill.

Benet (St.) Gracechurch

On the east side of Gracechurch Street at its junction with Fenchurch Street. In Bridge Ward Within (Elmes, 1831). Parish extends into Langbourn Ward.

Early mention found in records : In Inquisition 1181 (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. 68), but See below.

Forms of name : "St. Benedict of Garscherche," 34 H. III. "St. Benedict Garscheche" (Anc. Deeds, A. 2227). "St. Benedict at Garschirch," 45 H. III. 1260 (Cal. Ch. Rolls, II. 33). "Scs Bndcs de Greschirche," 1285 (MS. D. and C. St. Paul's, Lib. L. fo. 93). "S. Benedict de Gaschirche," 1285 (Ct. H.W. I. 73). "S. Benedict de Graschurche," 1307 (ib. 189). "S. Benedict in Langbourne Ward" (ib. II. 441). "S. Benedict de Graschirchestrete," 1375 (ib. 180).

Called "Gracechurch" in Leake, 1666.

In early records relating to the City there are numerous references to a church in this neighbourhood, styled "Grascherche," "Garscherche," etc., but without any other designation.

The earliest reference is in the Charter of Brihtmaer to Christ Church Canterbury, dated 1053 : "Her snotelen on disen yurite embe do norewerde de Bridmer at Gerschereche wrogte wid Stigant archebiscop...and wid alle pem hird at Xpes Chereche at Cantwarberi. Det is danne det he ude Criste into Cristes chereche dane homestal det he on set and alre Halgene chereche efter his dage etc" (Thorpe, Dip. Ang.-Sax. p. 372-3). And if, as seems probable, "Gerschereche" is not to be identified with "alre Halgene chereche " (All Hallows), then it may be identified with St. Benet, Gracechurch, in which case this church must have been in existence some time prior to the Norman Conquest.

The name "Gracechurch" in its earlier forms would seem to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "gaers," "gers" "graes" = a blade of grass, herb, hay," and it may well have been that a market was held in this place from very early times, as in later days, and that the church derived its appellation from the herbs and hay sold there. The metathesis "er" to "re" or "ar" to "re" is of constant occurrence in the development of a language.

Repaired and beautified 1630 (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii. 177).

Burnt in the Great Fire and rebuilt by Sir C. Wren 1685.

After the Fire the parish of St. Leonard Eastcheap was united to it (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii. 177).

Taken down 1867-8 to widen the thoroughfare and the parish united to All Hallows, I,ombard Street.

A Rectory. Patrons : Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's.

See Gracechurch.

Benet (St.) Paul's Wharf

On the north side of Upper Thames Street at 225 and 226 and west of Bennet's Hill (P.O. Directory). In Castle Baynard Ward.

Earliest mention found in records : "Sancti Benedicti super Tamisiam," 1111 (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. 67).

Other names : "St. Benedict super Hetham," 12th cent. (ib. p. 13). "St. Benedict super Werham," 1181 (ib. p. 68). "St. Benedict by Thames," 1170-97 (Anc. Deeds, A. 1485). "St. Benedict Algar," 1241-59 (MS. D. and C. St. Paul's W.D. 9, fol. 48b). "St. Benedict super ripam," 1262 (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p. 4). "St. Benedict de Wudewharf," 1260-1 (Ct. H.W. I. 8). "St. Benedict ad ripam," 1273-4 (ib. 18). "St. Benedict at the Wodewarve," 1282 (ib. 59). "St. Benedict super Wodewarve," 1285 (MS. D. and C. St. Paul's Lib. L. fo. 93). "St. Benedict in huda" (MS. D. and C. St. Paul's, 1285, Lib. L. 93). "St. Benedict super Warfum sancti Pauli," 1285 (ib.). " St. Benedict super hidam" (ib. ff. 115-8). "St. Benedict ad Ripam Sancti Pauli," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 228). "St. Benedict at Castle Baynard," 1349. (Ct. H.W. I. 540), "St. Benedict near Paul's Wharf," 28 Ed. III. (Ch. I. p.m. 39). "St. Benedict West near Paules Wharf," 1426 (Ct. H.W. II. 440). "Atte Wodewharf" is a very favourite form of the name.

The Chapter of St. Paul's in the 12th century granted the church of "St. Benedict super Hetham" to Algar the priest for life on payment of two marks yearly (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p. 63).

In need of repair 1632.

Burnt in the Fire and rebuilt better than before, 1683. Parish of St. Peter, Paul's wharf, united to it.

A Rectory : Patrons : Canons of St Paul's, now the Dean and Chapter.

Benet (St.) Paul's Wharf (Street)

See Bennet's Hill.

Benet (St.) Paul's Wharf Churchyard

On the north side of the church (O. and M. 1677, and Horwood, 1799).

Benet (St.) Place

East out of Gracechurch Street at No. 58 (P.O. Directory). In Bridge Ward Within.

First mention : O.S. 1848-51.

Former names : "Jerusalem Alley," 1553 (Lond. I. p.m. II. 103, O. and M. 1677). "Jerusalem Court" (Strype, 1720-Elmes, 1831).

Named after St. Benet Gracechurch.

Benet (St.) Sherehog

On the north side of Pancras Lane, opposite Sise Lane, in Cheap Ward (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 50). Parish extends into Cordwainer Ward.

First mention found in records : "Alfwinus sacerdos Scerehog," occurs in deed of 1111-31 (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. 61b).

Seems also to be called "St. Benedict the Less" (q.v.), temp. Rich. I. and John.

Other forms : "St. Benedict Schorhog," c. 1227-37 (Anc.Deeds, A.1660). "St. Benedict Shorhog," c. 1227-37 (ib. A. 2571). "Scherehog," c. 1224-41 (ib. A. 7360). "St. Benedict Serhog," H. III. (ib. A. 1657). "St. Benedict Sorhog," 1260 (Ct. H.W. I. 8). "St. Benedict Sorhogg," 1275 (ib. 26). "St. Benedict Schorhoc," 1277-8 (ib. 30). "St. Benedict Schorog," 1277-8 (ib. 33). "St. Benedict Schorehog," 1281 (ib. 52). "St. Benedict Shorrehogge," 1297-8 (ib. 130). "St. Benedict Schorhogge," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 228). "St. Benedict Schorhog," Ed. I. (Anc. Deeds, A. 1890). "St. Benedict Shorhog," 1377 (Ct. H.W. II. 196). "St. Benedict Schorhogge," 1393 (ib. 302). "St. Benedict Shorhogg," 1398-9 (ib. 338). "St. Benet Shorehog, Sherehog," c. 1500-1521 (Arnold's Chronicle, p.77).

The church was also dedicated to St. Osyth or Sythe, and in 1122 one of the witnesses to a deed belonging to St. Paul's was named Fulk de Sancta Osyde (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p. 65). Mr. Loftie is of opinion that the name was derived from this church.

"St. Cite's (Osyth's)," 30 Ed. III. 1356 (Cal. Cl. R. Ed. III. 1354-60, p. 295). "St. Osith" (Citha), 31 Ed. III. 1357 (ib. 424). "Sancte Cidis," 32 Ed. III. 1358 (ib. 517). "St. Benet Shorog and St. Osyth (Seinte Site)," in ward of Chepe, 33 Ed. III. 1363 (ib. 1360-4, p. 546). "St. Sith," 6 H. IV. (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p. 24). "Benet Sherehog," called "Seint Sithes," c. 1500-1521 (Arnold's Chron. p. 248). "Seynt Syth in Boclerysbury" (Fabyan's Chr. p. 295). "S. Sithes" (S. 253).

Chapels of St. Mary and S. Sithe in the church, 1348-9 and 1398-9 (Ct. H. Wills I. 534, and ib. II. p. 338).

Church repaired and beautified 1628 (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 27).

Burnt in the Fire and not rebuilt, the parish being united to St. Stephen, Walbrook, and the site used as a burial ground (ib. 28).

A Rectory. Patrons : Canons of St. Mary Overy, Southwark.

Stow suggests that the addition was "Shorne," or corruptly "Shrog," or "Shorehog," after Benedict Shorne, Stock fishmonger, a new builder of the church in the reign of Ed. II. (S. 262-3). But as it was so called nearly a hundred years before that time, the suggestion is for this reason, if for no other, an impossible one.

Another suggestion, which is supported by Dr. R. R. Sharpe in his Calendar of Wills II. 196, is that the word is derived from "Shearhog" or "shearling," the north-country designation of a ram being one and a half to two years old. But the earliest forms "Schor" or "Sor" are against this derivation.

Perhaps the most plausible suggestion is that made by the late Mr. Loftie, in his "London," p. 159, that the appellation was derived from a family named Serehog, residing in the neighbourhood, Willelmus Serehog being mentioned as a witness to a deed of the 12th century, relating to the church of St. John Walbrook (Hist. MSS. Com, 9th Rep. 63b).

The name St. Osyth survived in Sise Lane (q.v.).

Benet (St.) Sherehog Churchyard

On the north side of Pancras Lane, on the site formerly occupied by the church (O.S. 1880).

Benet's (St.) Hill

See Bennet's Hill.

Benet's (St.) Lane

See Bennet's Hill.

Bengal Court

East out of Birchin Lane at No.21 (P.O. Directory). In Cornhill Ward. So named July, 1906 (L.C.C. List, 1912).

Former names : "White Lion Court" (Rocque, 1746). " White Lion Alley" (Strype, 1720 and P.C. 1732). "George Alley and Sun Court" (O. and M. 1677).