South out of Upper Thames Street at No. 41a, to the Thames, in Queenhithe Ward (P.O. Directory). Opposite St. Mary Somerset Church.
First mention: "Kayum fractum."
"Vetus cayum dudum confractum subtus novam cameram...in parochia beate Marie de Sumset."
In an Inquisition 34 H. III. as to whether ships and boats had a right to draw up alongside the wharf, it was stated that the wharf used to be common to the Abbot of Chertsey and the Abbot of Hamme, and that they disputed 40 years before about the maintenance of the wharf, in consequence of which it was allowed to decay. It was decided that the boats had no right to put in at the wharf except by default of the abbots in not keeping it up" (Ch. I. p.m. 34 H. III. (46)).
Other forms : "Broken Wharfe Kaia," 43 H. III. (Ch. I. p.m.). "la Brokenewharf," 2 Ed. I. (Anc. Deeds, A. 1875). "la Brokene Werf," 35 Ed. I. (Ch. I. p.m. 35 Ed. I. m. 46).
In 1482, 21 Ed. IV., mention is made of the king's mansion called "Brokyn Wherf" (Cal. P.R. Ed. IV. 1476-85, p. 253).
It seems in 1477 to have been in possession of John, duke of Norfolk, in whose family it had been for some time (Rolls of Parlt. VI. 186b) (Anc. Deeds, A. 1875, etc.).
The Inquisition above mentioned gives the origin of the name.
A Forcier, Water-house and Water-works there, 1594 (L. and P. Ed. VI., etc., III 576), and 1692-3 (H. MSS. Com. 14th Rep. VI. 823).
See Timberhithe.
A Dictionary of London. Henry A Harben. 1918.