History > Political History

The Ward takes its name from its former principal thoroughfare. Its boundary stretches from Moorgate in the North to Old Jewry in the South. The name was already in existence in 1181-83 and had become a Ward name by 1224. It is believed that the name derives from St Coleman, the Saint to which the Parish Church of St Stephen Coleman Street may have been dedicated. St Margaret Lothbury, situated behind the Bank of England is the only remaining church in the Ward. The church suffered damage during the Great Fire and was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren. Many of its furnishings have come from other demolished Wren churches: its screen, the pulpit and the font.

According to Stow's 'Survey of London', at the end of Queen Elizabeth's reign Lothbury was "possessed for the most part by Founders, that cast Candlesticks, Chafingdishes, Spice mortars and such like Copper or Laton workes, and do afterwards turne them with the foot and not the wheele, to make them smooth and bright … making a loathsome noice to the by-passers, that have not been used to the like and therefore by them disdainedly called Lothberie". Ben Johnson refers to the street as a source of copper and candlesticks. In 1678 the street still had founders, two pewterers and a tin man. Stow tells us that Coleman Street was "a faire and large street, on both sides builded with diverse faire houses."

The Founders' Hall moved south to St. Swithins Lane in the mid-nineteenth century and so the Armourers and Brasiers remain the only Livery Company in the Ward. The Armourers' Hall stands on a site originally acquired by the Company in 1428 with the present building dating from 1840.

Oliver Cromwell used 'The Star' hostelry as a meeting place and in Great Swan Alley, Thomas Venner plotted to overthrow the government and establish the Fifth Monarchy. Its failure resulted in him being hung, drawn and quartered outside the meeting place in January 1661.

Always with a high Jewish presence, Old Jewry was possibly known as Colechurch Street in the thirteenth century. It would seem that in 1290 Edward I knew it as Old Jewry after the expulsion of the Jews. In the 17th century its inhabitants included two knights and a variety of tradesmen and by the 18th century it was described as "a very good open Street graced with good buildings which are inhabited by Merchants and Persons of Repute".

The postern gate in the City wall, built in 1415 and removed in 1762, gave its name to Moorgate built in the 1840s. On the site of 85 Moorgate, John Keats, the poet, was born at the Swan and Hoop in 1795. The Bethlam hospital, formerly a priory was acquired by the City Corporation in 1547 and re-established as a lunatic asylum. It was a popular tourist attraction and people flocked to see the patients chained in cells in galleries. However, in 1770 it was decided that "the tranquility of the patients" was being disturbed so admission was restricted to ticket holders only!

In the lower walks of Moorfields in the mid-16th century inhabitants stretched cloth and dried linen. By the early 17th century the area had been established as "a garden of this City and a pleasurable place of sweet ayres for Citizens to walk in". The elegant houses of the early 19th century gave way to the offices of modern times but Finsbury Circus Gardens remain and provide an enjoyable space for city workers.

There have been many notable Aldermen of the Ward who have served in the office of Sheriff and subsequently become Lord Mayor.

Warren Stormes Hale who became a Common Councilman in 1825 was one such man. Hale played a leading part in the founding of the City of London School and the school for orphans of freemen now known as the City of London Freemen's School which is presently located in Ashtead, Surrey.

It was Warren Stormes Hale, Alderman of the Ward from 1856- 72 and Lord Mayor in 1864- 65 who was to become the first President of the Coleman Street Ward Club and so began a precedent which has remained in force to the present day. Alderman Robert Finch who served as Aldermanic Sheriff in 1999-2000 now holds the office.