Miles's Lane

   South from Arthur Street to No. 130 Upper Thames Street (P.O Directory). Descends out of Arthur Street by steps. In Candlewick Ward and Bridge Ward Within.

   Earliest mention: London Guide, 1758.

   Former names : "Lane of S. Michael de Candelwicstrate," 1277 (Ct. H.W. I. 28). "Seint Micheleslane," 31 Ed. I. (1303) (Cal. L. Bk. C. p. 192). "St. Michael's Lane," 1309 (ib. 205). "Lane of St. Michael de Crokedlane," 1314 (Ct. H.W. I. 246). "St. Mighells Lane," 1567 (Lond. I. p.m. II. 101).

   Until 1831 the street was longer in extent than at present, reaching from Great Eastcheap to Thames Street, the northern portion having been demolished in 1831 for the formation of the approaches to the new London Bridge, this northern portion, when rebuilt, being named Crooked Lane. In Horwood's map of London, 1799, this northern portion is also named "Crooked Lane," but in all the earlier maps, and in Stow's time and previously, "St. Michael's Lane" extended north to Great Eastcheap, Crooked Lane being always shown and described as a turning east out of St. Michael's Lane.

   This street was named after St. Michael's Church, its present designation being merely a shortened and corrupted form of its original name "St. Michael's Lane."