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London Streets and Squares: Friern

Marlborough Road, Peckham, covers the ground plot of a Marlborough House, the residence of John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough. Hanover Street was named in compliment to the accession of George I. Basing Yard, at the rear of Hanover Street, occupies the site of Basing House, well known during the Restoration. Rye Lane leads to the Rye, or Common. Friern Place and Friern Road define the locality of Friern Manor; while Lordship Lane owes its designation to the lordship of the manor. Effra Road, Camberwell, marks the course of the little river Effra, now hidden, like the Fleet, from public view. Newington Butts denotes the archery grounds, formerly situated in the new town in the meadow. Holland Street, Southwark, preserves the name, at least in part, of an old manor, described as "Holland's Leaguer." Great Suffolk Street recalls the existence of Suffolk House, the residence of George Brandon, Duke of Suffolk; Winchester Yard, of Winchester House, the habitation of the Bishops of Winchester; and Sumner Street, of Dr. Sumner, Bishop of Winchester, one of the last occupants of the house just referred to. Mill Lane reminds us of an old windmill that stood here in less prosaic times; and Mint Street, of the Mint established by Henry VIII. in Suffolk House, when that property became demised to the Crown.

Stony Street and Stones End received their names from the stony nature of the ground; the former having been the Roman continuation of Watling Street, south of the Thames, in a direct line to Dover. Bear Garden, situated at the corner of Sumner Street, marks the exact position of the old Paris Garden, a bear-baiting establishment, opened by Robert de Paris in the time of Richard I. Bankside, or the south strand of the Thames, is historically interesting on account of its theatrical associations. "The Old Kent Road, which branches off at Bricklayers' Arms" into Great Dover Street and Kent Street, forms the great Kentish highway into London Streets and Squares.