Aldersgate

This article is about the area of London. For the company, see David and Simon Reuben.

Ward of Aldersgate
OS grid reference	TQ321817
Sui generis	City of London
Administrative area	Greater London
Region	London
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LONDON
Postcode district	EC1, EC2
Dialling code	020
Police	City of London
Fire	London
Ambulance	London
UK Parliament	Cities of London and Westminster
London Assembly	City and East

Aldersgate was a gate in the London Wall in the City of London, which has given its name to a ward and Aldersgate Street, a road leading north from the site of the gate, towards Clerkenwell in the London Borough of Islington.

Points of interest

Aldersgate Street is near the Barbican Estate and Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, and the Museum of London. Northwards it continues into Goswell Road, southwards it becomes St Martin's-le-Grand. Barbican tube station is located on Aldersgate Street, and was formerly known as Aldersgate station.

The ward is bounded by Aldersgate Street, Beech Street, Noble Street, Angel Street, King Edward Street and Montague Street. The ward contains the largest resident population in the City, the Barbican Estate. There are about 5000 residents. The ward is also the location of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the City of London School for Girls.

Within the ward are located three livery company halls; Ironmongers Hall, Plaisterers Hall and Barber-Surgeons Hall.

History

The old gate was taken down in 1617, and rebuilt in the same year from a design by Gerard Christmas. The gate was damaged in the Great Fire of London, but was repaired and remained until 1761. Aldersgate Street contained the Bishop of London's Chapel and his chambers at London House, which was used from the eighteenth century because it was closer to St Paul's Cathedral than his official residence at Fulham. Also on this street is a St Botolph Aldersgate, and the site of the meeting room where John Wesley was converted in 1738, which is marked by a plaque.

The house of Sarah Sawyer, in Rose and Rainbow Court (approximately the site of the Museum of London), formed one of the earliest Quaker meetings in London (before 1655). In 1675, it became a dedicated meeting house, the Box Meeting, used mainly by Quaker women for poor relief, on her marriage.

Politics

Aldersgate is one of 25 wards in the City of London, each electing an Alderman, to the Court of Aldermen and Commoners (the City equivalent of a Councillor) to the Court of Common Council of the Corporation of London. Only electors who are Freeman of the City of London are eligible to stand.

See also

• Fortifications of London
• London
• city gate
• city wall

External links

• 18th Century map showing the location of the gate (towards the bottom right corner)
• Ward map