Grey-coat Hospital, Tothill fields, Westminster. In the year 1698 this charity school was erected in St. Margaret’s parish, for the education of poor children, and named The Grey-coat School, from the colour of the children’s cloaths; but the trustees being at length greatly encouraged by charitable contributions, in the year 1701, not only increased the number of children, but supplied them with all the necessaries of life, in a large and commodious building near Tothill fields: and for the encouragement of so laudable an undertaking Queen Anne, in 1706, by her letters patent, constituted the trustees of this school a body politic and corporate, by the name of The Governors of the Grey-coat hospital in Tothill fields, of the royal foundation of Queen Anne, with the power of purchasing lands, tenements, &c. in mortmain, to the yearly amount of 2000l. These children, besides being taught the usual learning, are employed in spinning, knitting, sewing, &c. to inure them early to industry; and having attained the necessary qualifications at school, they are put out apprentices.
This hospital, in the year 1727, was in so flourishing a condition that it contained eighty boys, and fifty girls, in which year the charge of all its disbursements amounted to 1457l. 7s. 6d. At Michaelmas 1739, a mathematical school was erected, and a proper master employed to instruct the boys in the art of navigation, to fit them for the service of their country, several of whom since the erection of this school have been put apprentice to captains in the King’s service.
The expence of each child is about 8l. a year, besides the salaries of the masters and mistresses, the wages of servants, and other charges attending the hospital.
Grey Eagle street, Brick lane, Spitalfields.*
Grey Friars, a court in Newgate street, near the gate, adjoining on one side to Christ’s hospital. Here, in the reign of King Henry III. was erected a convent of Franciscans or Grey Friars, and some time after a spacious church, which was not compleatly finished till the year 1380, tho’ it was consecrated in 1325. This church, which was 300 feet in length, eighty-nine in breadth, and sixty-four feet two inches in height from the ground to the roof, was built at different times, at the expence of different persons, and among its benefactors were several Queens of England. In the year 1429, Richard Whittington here founded a library, 129 feet in length and thirty-one in breadth, which was finished the following year, and within three years after furnished with books. However, at the general suppression of monasteries, the friery, with all the edifices belonging to it, was surrendered to Henry VIII. and the ornaments and utensils taken away, and applied to the King’s use: after which the church was shut up for some time, and used as a storehouse for goods taken as prizes from the French; but in January 1546, this church, with the friery, library, chapter house, cloisters and gardens, were given by King Henry to the Mayor and Commonalty of London, with the hospital of St. Bartholomew in West Smithfield, the parishes of St. Nicholas and St. Ewin, and so much of St. Sepulchre’s parish as is within Newgate, to be made one parish belonging to the church in the Grey Friars, which was from thenceforward to be called Christ Church. In short, in the year 1552, the house of the Grey Friars began to be repaired for the reception of poor fatherless children, and in November following near four hundred were taken in. Stow. See Christ’s Hospital.
Greyhound alley, 1. St. Mary Ax.* 2. Newgate street.*
Greyhound court, 1. Aldersgate street.* 2. St. Catharine’s lane.* 3. Chick lane.* 4. Lamb street.* 5. Milford lane.* 6. Moor’s street, Soho.*
Greyhound Inn yard, St. Margaret’s hill.*
Greyhound lane, Three Colts street.*
Greyhound street, Whitechapel.*