OYSTER GATE

   A water gate on the Thames, near London Bridge, opposite the church of St. Magnus (1312, Riley's Mem. 95). The name seems afterwards to have been given to the lane leading down to the gate from Thames Street, I 7 Ed. III. (Lib. Cust. II. 447-8).

   Earliest mention: " Oystregate," 1259 (Ct. H.W. I. 4).

   Other forms : " Ostregate," 1261 (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. 21a). " Oystergate," 1291 (Ct H.W. I. 96).

   In 17 Ed. III. complaint was made of the lane called "Oystergate" being shut up and of the profits made out of sellers of rushes there, which ought to have gone to the city, being appropriated by private citizens (Lib. Cust. 11.447-8).

   The site was afterwards occupied by the forcier for supplying the City with water erected by Peter Morice in 1582 (S. 42) and subsequently by the waterworks.

   In Cal. L. Bk. I. p.138, under the date 1415, there is a reference to " Ebgate alias Oystergate." But the two cannot have been identical as they are mentioned separately in earlier records (See Riley's Mem. p.95, and Lib. Cust. II. 447-8).

   Stow says it was so called of oysters found there.