One of the twenty-six wards of London, lying between Vintry Ward south, Cheap Ward north, Bread Street Ward west, and Cheap Ward and Walbrook Ward east.
First mention: "Ward of Cordewanerstrate," c. 1285 (Cal. L. Bk. A. p. 209).
It was with Chepe Ward the wealthiest ward in the City in 1368-9 (Cal. L. Bk. G p. 251).
So named of the Cordwainers or Shoemakers, who carried on their trade there in early times (S. 252).
In Stow's time there were in the Ward three parish churches : St. Mary le Bow, St. Mary Aldermary and St. Anthony ; now only two : St. Mary le Bow and St. Mary Aldermary.
The ward has been much altered in modern times by the formation of Queen Street, Queen Victoria Street, and Cannon Street.
Identified as the Ward of Henry le Waleys (q.v.).
See Wards.
A Dictionary of London. Henry A Harben. 1918.