Switch’s yard, Upper Ground, Southwark.
Swithin’s alley, and Swithin’s rents. See Sweeting’s alley, and Sweeting’s rents.
St. Swithin’s, in Canon street, at the west corner of St. Swithin’s lane in Walbrook ward, is thus denominated from its dedication to St. Swithin chancellor to King Egbert and Bishop of Winchester, who died in 806. We read of a church in the same place dedicated to St. Swithin before the year 1331, but how long it was standing before that time is uncertain: however the old church was destroyed by the fire of London, and the present structure arose in its place.
This edifice is sixty-one feet long, and forty-two broad; the roof is forty feet, and the steeple an hundred and fifty feet in height. The body is well enlightened, and the windows are arched and well proportioned. The tower is plain, solid, and cut off at the top, to give the easier diminution between that part and the base of the spire, which is surrounded by a balustrade, and has a good diminution.
This church appears to have been anciently under the patronage of the prior and convent of Tortington in the diocese of Chester, in whom it continued till the dissolution of that monastery, when Henry VIII. granted it to the Earl of Oxford, who soon after disposed of it, and it was at length purchased by the Salters company, in whom it still continues. On its being rebuilt the Parish of St. Mary Bothaw was united to it. The rector, besides his other profits, receives 140l. a year in lieu of tithes. Newc. Repert. Eccles.
Swithin’s lane, extends from Lombard street, by St. Swithin’s church into Cannon street.
Sword and Buckler court, Ludgate hill.*
Sycamore yard, Kent street.‡
Symond’s inn, on the east side of Chancery lane, is neither an inn of court nor chancery: but contains several public offices, among which is the register office. It has been lately rebuilt, and serves to accommodate several masters in chancery, sollicitors and attornies.
Syth lane, commonly called Size lane, near Queen street, Cheapside.