[154]. This was the line of the sewer, or open stream, which formed the western boundary of Purse Field. In later deeds relating to the central portion of Aldwych Close, the latter is described as extending to the common sewer on the east side towards Lincoln’s Inn. (See e.g. Recovery Roll, 1633, 9 Chas. I., Easter (201).)
[156]. Inquisitiones Post Mortem (Middlesex), 18 Eliz., vol. 174 (32).
[157]. I.e., according to a deed referred to in the inquisition on Henry Holford (16th June, 1624) (Ibid., 22 Jas. I., vol. 428 (87)). There was also, however, or there had been three years before, “a little howse, forge or shedd” on what was afterwards the north-west corner of Great Queen Street (Close Roll, 40 Eliz. (1597)—Demise by Henry Holford to Henry Foster, Margaret Foster and Henry Warner).
[158]. Recited in lease of 30th April, 1607, by Walter Burton to Thomas Burton, in possession of the London County Council.
[160]. See indentures between Richard Holford and Robert Stratton and Edward Stratton respectively, dated 28th July, 1635, and 24th April, 1658. (Close Rolls, 11 Chas. I. (3060) and 1658 (3984)).
[161]. This triangular piece, and the ground on which the houses on the south side of Kemble Street are built, both originally being portions of Aldwych Close, have recently been taken out of the Parish of St. Giles-in-the-Fields.
[162]. “The private way in Oldwitch Close for the King and Councell to passe through leading from St. Giles his lane in the feildes east towardes Holborne.” (Close Roll, 22 James I. (2601)—Indenture between Jane and Richard Holford and Jeoffery Prescott.)
[163]. The two gates are referred to in the petition (ascribed to March, 1632), of the Surveyor-General of His Majesty’s Ways, who complained that on the day before the King and Queen went last to Theobalds, he warned Richard Powell, the scavenger for High Holborn, to cleanse the passage between the two gates in Holborn, where many loads of noisome soil lay stopping up the way; but Powell neglected to do this, and at the time of the Royal passage a cart laden with soil stood in the passage blocking the way. (Calendar of State Papers, Domestic, 1631–3, p. 298.)