Corbet’s court, 1. Brown’s lane, Spitalfields.† 2. Gracechurch street.†
Corbet’s yard, Back street, Lambeth.†
Cordwainers, or Shoemakers. This company was incorporated by letters patent granted by King Henry IV. in the year 1410, by the name of Cordwainers and Coblers, the latter of which names was then far from being a despicable term, as it signified not only a shoemaker, but a dealer in shoes; and it does not appear that the word shoemaker was then in use.
Mr. Stow observes, that King Richard II. marrying the daughter of Wenceslaus King of Bohemia, the English by her example wore long peaked shoes tied to their knees with silk laces, or silver chains gilt. This preposterous fashion occasioned the passing of an act of parliament, in the reign of Edward IV. in which it was enacted, that no cordwainer or cobler within the city of London, or three miles of it, should make any shoes, galoshes or huseans, that is, boots or buskins, with any pyke or poleyn, exceeding the length of two inches, to be adjudged by the Wardens or Governors of the same mystery in London: nor should they presume to sell, or put upon the legs or feet of any person, any shoes, boots or buskins on Sundays, or on the feasts of the nativity and ascension of our Lord, or on Corpus Christi day, on the penalty of paying twenty shillings for each offence.
By a late charter, this company is stiled, The Master, Wardens and Commonalty of the mystery of Cordwainers of the city of London. They are governed by a Master, four Wardens, and sixteen Assistants, and have 180 liverymen, whose fine on admission is 10l.
Cordwainers Hall, is situated on the north side of Great Distaff lane, and is a handsome brick building. The large hall is adorned with the pictures of King William, and Queen Mary his consort.
Cordwainers court, Great Distaff lane.☐
Cordwainers Street Ward, took its name from the employment of its principal inhabitants, who were cordwainers, or shoemakers, curriers, and other workers in leather. It is bounded on the north by Cheap ward; on the west by Bread street ward; on the south by Vintry ward, and on the east by Wallbrook ward.
The principal streets and lanes in this ward are, Bow lane, Queen street, Budge row, Little St. Thomas Apostle’s, Pancrass lane, with a small part of Watling street and Basing lane; and the most remarkable buildings are the parish churches of St. Antholin, St. Mary Aldermary, and St. Mary le Bow.
This ward has an Alderman, and nine Common Council men, fourteen wardmote inquest men, eight scavengers, eight constables, and a beadle. The jurymen returned by the wardmote inquest for this ward, serve in the courts in Guildhall in the month of December. Maitland.