Monument record 1160/159 - St Michaels Lane/Cock Lane/Wood Street/White Friars Lane

Known as White friars Lane or St Michaels Lane during the medieval period, but sometimes as Wood Street by the 16th century.

{1} By will dated 1500 baker John Clerke leaves….my two cottages sette in White Freres Lane against parish church of Saynt Michell….also my garden lying on corner toward White Freres in the same lane; street was called White Friars Lane as late as 1696 & probably long afterwards; Wood Street was formerly known as White Friars Lane;

{2} Wood Street has had a variety of names. Towards the end of the 13th century it was known as Whitefriars Lane and occasionally styled as St Michaels Lane during the next century. By the 16th century it was sometimes called Wood Street, although the origin of this name is unknown. It was also sometimes known as Cock Lane for the Cock inn which stood at the Abington Street end of the street.

<1> SERJEANTSON R.M., The White Friars of Northampton, 15 (Article). SNN994.

<2> Cox, J., 1899, The Borough Records of Northampton Vol II, p. 528 (Book). SNN110333.

Record last edited

May 1 2025 1:08PM