THE farthest West Ward of this City, being the 25th Ward of London, but without the Walls, is called Faringdon without; and was of old time part of the other Faringdon within; until the 17th of Rich. II. in which it was divided, and made twain; by the Names of Faringdon infra, and Faringdon extra, as is afore shewed.

The Bounds of which Ward, without Newgate and Ludgate, are these.

First, on the East Part thereof, is the whole Precinct of the late Priory of St. Bartholomew; and a part of the Long lane, on the North, towards Aldersgate street; and all Smithfield, to the Bars in St. John street.

Then out of Smithfield, Chicken lane, toward Turmile, or Turnmill Brook; and over that Brook, by a Bridge of Timber, into the Field. Then back again by the Pens or Folds in Smithfield, by Smithfield Pond, to Cow lane, which turneth toward Oldbourn; and then Hosier lane, out of Smithfield also toward Oldbourn, till it meet with a part of Cow lane.

Then Cocklane, out of Smithfield, over against Pie corner. Then also is Giltspur street, out of Smithfield to Newgate. Then from Newgate, West by St. Sepulchres Church, to Turn again lane. Then to Oldbourn Conduit, on Snow hill, to Oldbourn Bridge, up Oldbourn hill, to the Bars, on both sides.

On the Right Hand, or North side, at the bottom of Oldbourn hill, is Gold lane; sometime a filthy passage into the Fields, now both sides builded with small Tenements.

Then higher is Lither lane, turning also to the Field, (lately replenished with Houses) and so to the Bar.

Now, on the Left hand or South side from Newgate, lieth a Street called Old Baily, or Court of the Chamberlain of the City; this stretcheth down by the Wall of the City unto Ludgate. On the West side of which Sreet, breaketh out one other Lane, called St. Georges lane, till ye come unto the South end of Seacoal lane; and then, turning towards Fleet street, it is called Fleet lane.

The next out of the High Street from Newgate, turning down South, is called the Little Baily, and runneth down to the East of St. George's lane.

Then is Seacoal lane, which turneth down into Fleet lane.

Near unto this Seacoal lane, in the turning towards Oldbourn Conduit, is another Lane, called in Record Windagain lane; for that it turneth down to Turnmil Brook, and from thence back again, for there is no way over.

Then beyond Oldbourn Bridge, to Shoe lane; which runneth out of Oldbourn, unto the Conduit in Fleet street.

Then also is Fewtars lane, which likewise stretcheth South into Fleetstreet, by the East end of St. Dunstans Church. And from this Lane to the Bars, be the Bounds without Newgate.

Now, without Ludgate, this Ward runneth up from the said Gate, to Temple bar, and hath on the Right hand, or North side, the South end of the Old Baily. Then down Ludgate hill, to the Fleet lane, over Fleet Bridge, and by Shoe lane, and Fewtars lane, and so to New street (or Chancery lane) and up that Lane to the House of the Rolls. Which House is also of this Ward. And on the other side, to a Lane over against the Rolls, which entreth Ficquetes Field.

Then hard by the Bar, is one other Lane, called Shire lane, because it divideth the City from the Shire; and this turneth into Ficquetes Field.

From Ludgate again, on the Left hand, or South side, to Fleet Bridge, to Bride lane, which runneth South by Bridewel. Then to Water lane, which runneth down to the Thames.

Then by the White Friers, and by the Temple, even to the Bar aforesaid, be the Bounds of this Faringdon Ward without.

In these Parts from Ludgate, and so Westward, the City, in the Saxon Times, was chiefly situate; and more thinly built, where now the City especially standeth. This appears from what Fabian found in a very old Record, called Doomsday, belonging to the City. Who writes in his Chronicle, that in King Egelred's, or Etheldred's Reign, which began in the Year 981. (or 978. as Stow,) London had most Housing or Building from Ludgate towards Westminster; and little or none where the Chief or Heart of the City now is; except in divers Places was Housing, but the Houses stood without Order. So that many Towns and Cities, as Canterbury, York, and others, passed London in Building in those Days. As he saith he had seen and known by an old Book in the Guild Hall of London, named Domysday. But after the Conquest it increast; and shortly past and excelled all the other.]

Touching Ornaments and Antiquities in this Ward: First betwixt the said Newgate, and the Parish of St. Sepulchres, is a Way towards Smithfield, called Gilt Spurr, or Knightriders street, of the Knights and others, riding that way into Smithfield; replenished with Buildings on both sides, up to Pie corner; a Place so called of such a Sign, sometime a fair Inn for receipt of Travellers; but now divided into Tenements. And over against the said Pie corner, lieth Cock lane, which runneth down to Oldbourn Conduit.