Old Change was a street in the City of London, connecting Cheapside to Knightrider Street.[1]

1830 map showing Old Change to the east of St Paul's Cathedral

The street was originally known as Old Exchange. It was named after a building constructed in the 13th century for coining bullions, which is commemorated by a plaque in the gardens by St Paul's Cathedral.[2][3] Edward Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury had a house with gardens adjacent to the street.[2] The Church of St Augustine was on the corner of Old Change. It was rebuilt in the late 17th century by Christopher Wren following the Great Fire of London.[4]

During the early 18th century, Old Change was inhabited by Armenian merchants who set up numerous silk and woollen warehouses.[2]

Old Change was destroyed during World War II.[2] A replacement street, New Change was built slightly to the east of this following the war.[5] The church tower was restored and is now Grade I listed.[4]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Henry A Harben, 'Old Bethlem - Old Dog', in A Dictionary of London (London, 1918), British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/dictionary-of-london/old-bethlem-old-dog [accessed 21 October 2020].
  2. ^ a b c d Weinreb et al. 2008, p. 598.
  3. ^ Walter Thornbury, 'Cheapside: Southern tributaries', in Old and New London: Volume 1 (London, 1878), pp. 346-353. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol1/pp346-353 [accessed 21 October 2020].
  4. ^ a b Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1079121)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  5. ^ Weinreb et al. 2008, p. 577.

51°30′48″N 0°05′47″W / 51.5134°N 0.0963°W / 51.5134; -0.0963