Bell Yard - Benbridges Inn

Bell Yard

South out of Carter Lane at No.41 to Knightrider Street, in Castle Baynard Ward (P.O. Directory).

First mention : O. and M. 1677.

Hatton says the Bell Inn stood there in 1708.

Had a passage to Addle Hill in the 19th century, Elmes, 1831.

Bell Yard

North out of Fleet Street to Carey Street (P.O. Directory) at Temple Bar.

The northern portion is within the City boundary, the southern end in the City of Westminster.

Mentioned 1659 (L.C.C. Deeds, Harben Bequest, 1600-1700, No.39).

Name derived from the tenement called "le Belle," mentioned 36 H. VIII. (L. and P. R. VIII. XIX. (1), p. 636).

The western side is now occupied by the railings of the Law Courts, and the eastern side has been rebuilt in recent years. Apollo Court formerly occupied a portion of the site.

Bell Yard

Near Helmet Court, in Thames Street (P.C. 1732). In parish of St. Benet, Paul's Wharf, in Castle Baynard Ward.

The description does not seem to indicate Bell Yard, in Knightrider Street and Carter Lane, as this yard is not in St. Benet's parish.

Site occupied later by Doctor's Commons and Queen Victoria Street.

Bell Yard

East out of Moor Lane. In Cripplegate Ward Without (O. and M. 1677).

See Vine Court.

Bell Yard

At No.42 Little Britain (Elmes, 1831).

No later mention.

The principal streets in the City, such as Little Britain, have been renumbered since this date.

Bell Yard, Fenchnrch Street

See Bell Court.

Bell Yard, Fish Street Hill

West out of Fish Street Hill at No.13, north of Crooked Lane, and opposite the Monument. In Bridge Ward Within (O. and M. 1677-Elmes, 1831).

Removed soon after 1831 for the formation of the approaches to the New London Bridge, the site being now occupied by Arthur Street.

Bell Yard, Gracechurch Street

West out of Gracechurch Street, at No.12 (P.O. Directory). In Bishopsgate Ward Within.

First mention : O. and M. 1677.

Led to St. Michael's Alley, Birchin Lane and Cornhill in Hatton, 1708.

"The Bell" mentioned in will of William Horsepool 1604 given to parish of All Hallows Lombard Street (End. Ch. 1903, p. 3).

"Bell Inn" here in Lockie, 1810 and 1816. Named after the Inn.

Bell Yard, Mincing Lane

See Bell Court.

Belle (la) Sauvage Yard

On the north side of Ludgate Hill at No.66 (P.O. Directory). In Farringdon Ward Without.

Named after the famous inn which stood there until 1873.

See Belle Savage (The).

Belle Savage (The)

On the north side of Ludgate Hill in "la belle Sauvage" yard. In Farringdon Ward Without.

Forms of name : "the belle Savage," 20 H. VIII. (Lond. I. p.m. I. 78). "la Bell Savage," otherwise "le Bell Savoy," 2 and 3 P. and M. (Cal. L. and M. Ft. of Fines, II. 93).

A famous coaching inn, until the advent of the railways undermined its trade. Removed 1873 and the site occupied by Cassell's publishing offices, except one corner, No.68, occupied by Messrs. Treloar and Sons' establishment.

Burn, in his Tradesmen's Tokens, says that the original name of the inn was "The Bell," and he quotes a deed enrolled in the Close Rolls, 31 H. VI. 1453, in support of his statement (p.131). By this deed John Frensh confirmed to his mother Joan Freush "all that tenement or inn with its appurtenances called Savagesynn, alias vocat 'le Belle on the Hope,' in the parish of St. Bridget in Fleet Street." In course of time the two names seem to have been united into one as the appellation of the inn, though when this actually took place does not appear.

Pegge suggests that the name was derived from a former hostess, Isabella Savage, whose name as tenant a friend of his had seen in a lease of the house, but this is only second-hand evidence, and cannot be entirely relied on.

Belleyetereslane, Belleyettereslane, Bellezeterestret

See Billiter Street.

Bellows Yard

West out of the Minories (Strype, 1720-P.C. 1732). In Portsoken Ward. Shown in O. and M. 1677, but not named.

Removed for rebuilding before the end of the 18th century.

Bell's Alley

In St. Katherine's Lane, East Smithfield (P.C. 1732-Strype, 1755).

See Bell Court.

Bell's Buildings

At the south-east corner of Salisbury Square, with a passage north to St. Bride's Church and east to Bride Lane (Bacon, 1912).

First mention : Horwood, 1799.

Former name : "Blue Ball Court" (q.v.).

Street tablet gives date of erection, 1770. It does not seem to be called by this name now, but to have been rebuilt for business purposes and to be known as "St. Bride's House."

Bell's Court

In St. Michael's Lane (P.C. 1732-Boyle, 1799).

Not named in the maps.

Belyetterslane, Belzeterslane

See Billiter Street.

Bembridge Rents

In Moor Lane (Strype, ed. I 755-Boyle, 1799).

Not named in the maps.

Ben Johnson's Court

East out of Shoe Lane in Farringdon Ward Without (O. and M. 1677).

Site now occupied by offices and warehouses.

Benbridges Inn

Hostel of Ralph Holand called "Penbrigges Inne," at the corner of Lymestrete in parish of St. Andrew near Cornhull, devised to the Master and Wardens of Fraternity of Tailors and Armourers of Linen Armour, 1454 (Ct. H.W. II. 526).

Stow calls it Benbridges Inn, and says it was at the north-west corner of Lime Street (S. 153).

Ricardus de Pembrugge chevalier and Henricus his son held a tenement in London in the parish of St. Andrew, Cornhill, in Warda de Lymstret in 49 Ed. III (Cal. Ch. I. p.m. II. 348). Probably this is the origin of the name.

See East India House.