Billingsgate

Information about Billingsgate

Ward of Billingsgate
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Billingsgate (Greater London)

OS grid referenceTQ332806
London borough City of London
Ceremonial county Greater London
Region London
Constituent country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town LONDON
Postcode district EC3
Dialling code 020
Police City of London
Fire Torfaen
Ambulance London
UK Parliament Cities of London and Westminster
London Assembly Richmond upon Thames
European Parliament London
List of places: UK • England UK • London
Coordinates: Billingsgate is a ward in the south-east of the City of London, lying on the north bank of the River Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. It is found within the boundary defined by the river, Lovat Lane, Fenchurch Street, Mark Lane and Sugar Quay

Origins

Originally it was known as Blynesgate and Byllynsgate, and may have originated with a water gate on the Thames, where goods were landed, becoming Billingsgate Wharf, part of the London docks close to Lower Thames Street. The market was a general market for corn, coal, iron, wine, salt, pottery, fish and miscellaneous goods until the 16th century, when neighbouring streets became a specialist fish market during the 16th and 17th centuries[1]. The ward includes Pudding Lane[2], where in 1666, the Great Fire of London began[3]. A sign was erected upon the house in which it began:
Here, by the permission of Heaven, hell broke loose upon this protestant city, from the malicious hearts of barbarous Papists, by the hand of their agent Hubert, who confessed, and on the ruins of this place declared the fact, for which he was hanged, viz. That here began the dreadful fire, which is described and perpetuated on and by the neighbouring pillar, erected Anno 1680, in the mayoralty of Sir Patience Ward, knight[3].

Fish market

Billingsgate Fish Market was formally established by an Act of Parliament in 1699 to be "a free and open market for all sorts of fish whatsoever".[4] In 1849, the fish market was moved off the streets into its own riverside building, which was subsequently demolished (c. 1873) and replaced by an arcaded market hall (designed by City architect Horace Jones, built by John Mowlem) in 1875[1].

In 1982, the fish market was relocated to a new building close to Canary Wharf in east London. The original riverside market hall building was then refurbished (by architect Lord Rogers) to provide office accommodation.

The raucous cries of the fish vendors gave rise to "billingsgate" as a synonym for profanity or offensive language[5].

The ward contains the Customs House and the Watermen's Hall, built in 1780 and the only surviving Georgian guild hall. Centennium House in Lower Thames Street has Roman baths within their basement foundations. St Dunstan’s Church in St Dunstan’s Hill, having been partly destroyed in World War II, is now a garden.

Politics

Billingsgate is one of 25 wards in the City of London, each electing an Alderman, to the Court of Aldermen and Commoners (the City equivalent of a Councillor) to the Court of Common Council of the Corporation of London. Only electors who are Freeman of the City of London are eligible to stand.

References

1. ^ History of Billingsgate accessed 21 May 2007
2. ^ John Stow attributes the name from the butchers in Eastcheap having their scalding house for hogs there; and their puddings with other filth being conveyed thence down to their dung boats in the Thames.
3. ^ 'Book 2, Ch. 7: Billingsgate Ward', A New History of London: Including Westminster and Southwark (1773), pp. 551-53 accessed: 21 May 2007
4. ^ Billie Cohen (January 2005). "Lox, Stock and Barrel". National Geographic Magazine |. 
5. ^ Word of the Day Archive - Monday June 12, 2006 accessed 21 May 2007

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