Cordwainer is a ward in the City of London, England, the word being an ancient word for shoemaker. It is bounded to the north by Cheapside (the boundary with Cheap Ward), to the west by the eponymous Bread Street (Ward), to the south by Cannon Street (Vintry Ward) and to the east, Wallbrook (ward). Within its boundaries are, amongst others, Bow Lane, Budge Row, Pancras Lane and part of Watling Street.In mediaeval times the ward was divided into eight precincts. These were

• St. Mary, Aldermary, upper and lower
• Allhallows, Bread Street
• St. Mary-le-Bow
• St. Antholin, upper and lower
• St. Pancras
• St. Bennet, Sherehog and St. John
• St. Thomas the Apostle
• Trinity

Today it is home to many large businesses and new initiatives such as Bow Bells House, named after the bells of St Mary-le-Bow due for completion at the end of 2007. The ward contains one other church(St Mary Aldermary) and the site of Antholin’s Budge Row, demolished in 1875. Cordwainer Ward is quite distinctive for its high number of licensed premises, but in addition has its own clubdedicated to promoting the area positively

Politics

Cordwainer is one of 25 wards in the City of London, each electing an Alderman, to the Court of Aldermen and Commoners (the City equivalent of a Councillor) to the Court of Common Council of the City of London Corporation. Only electors who are a Freeman of the City of London are eligible to stand.

References