At the north end of West Smithfield dividing the Liberty of the City from the County, on the northern boundary of Farringdon Ward Without (O.S. 1848-50).
First mention: "The Bar of Smethefeld," 35 H. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 2689).
Other names : " Bar of West Smethefeld," 30 Ed. I. (Ch. I. p.m. 115). " Smethefeld. Bar," 13 Ed. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 2599). " Bars of St. John the Baptist," 19 H VIII. (L. and P. H. VIII. IV. (2), p.1628). (Perhaps an allusion to Holywell Priory, dedicated, to St. John the Baptist.) "Smithfield Bars" (O. and M. 1677).
A Dictionary of London. Henry A Harben. 1918.