White Cross

   In an Inquisition 3 Ed. I. mention is made of water coming down from Smethefeld del Barbican in the Ward of Cripplegate towards the Moor, over which an arch of stone had been erected at the White Cross, occasioning a stoppage of the water on account of its narrowness, quoted by Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 88.

   Earlier mention: Garden outside London "ad albam cruxem," 43 H. III. (Hust. Roll, 2, 18).

   Other forms : " la Wytecruche," 1259-60 (Ct. H.W. I. 6).

   The records set out above suggest that this was a wayside cross such as would often have been found in England in those days, and are still found in Roman Catholic countries abroad. It may have been painted white, or might even have been of white stone. Its position, as set out above, indicated that it may well have given its name to Whitecross Street (q.v.).

   There was a tavern called the "White Crbss" at the junction of Chiswell Street and Whitecross Street in the parish of St. Giles Cripplegate in 1634 (L. and P. Chas. I. 1634-5, p.87).