Chancery Lane. A corruption of “Chancellor’s Lane,” from the town house of the Bishops of Chichester, afterwards the residence of the Lord High Chancellor of England.
Chandos Street. From the residence of James Bridges, Duke of Chandos.
Chap. Originally short for “Chapman,” one who sold his wares at a chepe, or market.
Chap Book. A small book or tract sold by chapmen. See “Chap.”
Chapel. A printers’ meeting held in the composing-room, so called because Caxton set up the first English press in a disused chapel of Westminster Abbey. The presiding workman is styled “The Father of the Chapel.”
Chapel of Ease. An auxiliary place of worship, for the convenience of those who resided at a great distance from the parish church.
Charing Cross. The idea that this spot received its name from the “good Queen” Eleanor, whose bier was set down here for the last time on its way to Westminster Abbey has been exploded. It was even then called the village of Charing, in honour of La Chère Reine, the Blessed Virgin, this being the usual halting-place between London and the venerable Abbey.
Charlatan. From the Italian ciarlatano, a quack, a babbler, a loquacious itinerant who sold medicines in a public square.
Charles Martel. See “[Martel].”
Charles Street. Built upon in the reign of Charles II.