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London Streets and Squares: Berkeley

Hay Hill, Hill Street, and Farm Street mark the situation of an old farm that stood upon the lands of John, Lord Berkeley of Stratton, an able officer in the army of Charles I., whose titles are perpetuated in John Street, Berkeley Square, Berkeley Street, and Stratton Street; while Bruton Street refers to the family seat of the Berkeleys, situated at Bruton, Somersetshire.

Mount Street marks the site of one of the western forts or bastions hastily formed by the Parliamentarians in 1643 to resist an expected attack upon the Metropolis from this side by the Royalists. Clarges Street derived its name from the residence of Sir Walter Clarges built in 1717, and afterwards occupied by the Venetian Ambassador. In Half- Moon Street stood an old tavern bearing the sign of "The Half-Moon." Arlington Street and Bennett Street were named after Henry Bennett, Earl of Arlington, whose town house was situated on the site of the former thoroughfare. Dover Street was so called in memory of Henry Jermyn, Lord Dover, who died in it in 1782. Albemarle Street contained the residence of Christopher Monk, second Duke of Albemarle, acquired from the Earls of Clarendon. Old Bond Street, of which New Bond Street is a modern continuation, received its name from the Bond family, now extinct. The land upon which it stands was the property of Sir Thomas Bond, Comptroller of the Household of Henrietta Maria, queen of Charles I. Clifford Street preserves the memory of Elizabeth Clifford, who became the wife of Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington (died 1753), after whom Old Burlington Street, and subsequently, New Burlington Street were designated. In Cork Street resided Lord Cork, one of the four brothers of the Boyle family advanced to the peerage at the same time. Savile Row was named after Dorothy Savile, who became Countess of Burlington and Cork, and inherited the property.

Vigo Street commemorates the capture of Vigo, in Spain, by the British on several occasions in the London Streets and Squares. course of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

The street dates back to the year 1720. Sackville Street, built in 1679, serves its purpose as perpetuating the memory of the witty Charles Sackville, Earl of Dorset, whose friends were unwilling that his fame should be allowed to die. Air Street, Piccadilly Circus, was at the time of its erection in the year 1659 one of the most westerly, and consequently, open streets of the town. Swallow Street is a corruption of "Slough Street," at one time a miry thoroughfare much infested by footpads.

Vine Street recalls the ancient vineyard belonging to the Abbey at Westminster, situated here.