History Cheapside

cheapside in 1823, looking west towards st paul s cathedral



a view of cheapside published in 1837



photochrom of cheapside, c. 1890-1900

cheapside former site of 1 of principal produce markets in london, cheap broadly meaning market in medieval english. many of streets feeding main thoroughfare named after produce once sold in areas of market, including honey lane, milk street, bread street , poultry.

in medieval times, royal processional route tower of london palace of westminster include cheapside. during state occasions such first entry of margaret of france (second wife of king edward i), london in september 1299, conduits of cheapside customarily flowed wine.

during reign of edward iii in 14th century, tournaments held in adjacent fields. dangers were, however, not limited participants: wooden stand built accommodate queen philippa , companions collapsed during tournament celebrate birth of black prince in 1330. no 1 died, king displeased, , stand s builders have been put death queen s intercession.

on day preceding coronation, in january 1559, elizabeth passed through number of london streets in pre-coronation procession , entertained number of pageants, including 1 in cheapside.

meat brought in cheapside smithfield market, outside newgate. after great church of st. michael-le-querne, top end of street broadened dual carriageway known shambles (referring open-air slaughterhouse , meat market), butcher shops on both sides , dividing central area containing butchers. further down, on right, goldsmiths row, area of commodity dealers. 14th century great fire, eastern end of cheapside location of great conduit.