Sack. A dry wine of great repute in Elizabethan times, so called from the French sec, dry.
Sackville Street. Built upon in 1679--that is, twenty years after “Air Street”--this thoroughfare was named in honour of Charles Sackville, Earl of Dorset, one of the favourites of Charles II.
Sacramentarians. The designation of the Calvinists, or those who denied the Real Presence in the Eucharist.
Sacrilege. Literally the act of despoiling that which is sacred.
Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Originally a “Musick House” in connection with a Spa opened by Mr Sadler, who, after digging for gravel in his garden in 1683, discovered an ancient “holy well” that had been stopped up since the Reformation.
Saffron Hill. From the saffron which grew abundantly in the grounds attached to Ely House, the town mansion of the bishops of Ely.
Sahara. Expresses the Arabic for “desert.”
Sailor King. William IV., who, having been bred to the sea in his youth, worked up his way from a midshipman to the position of Lord High Admiral. In his case promotion was no doubt easy.
St Albans. The scene of the martyrdom of St Alban, A.D. 297, in honour of whom Offa, King of Mercia, founded a Benedictine abbey.
St Andrew Undershaft. The Church of St Andrew in Leadenhall Street, so called from the tall shaft or Maypole which, bedecked with garlands on high festivals, stood within a few yards of its door. Since this shaft towered high above the steeple the church was said to be “under the shaft.” After the Reformation the shaft was taken down and kept in an adjacent alley, now called “Shaft Alley.” Thirty-two years later the popular voice declared it to be a relic of superstition, whereupon it was “raised off the hooks,” sawn into pieces, and burnt.