Place    From 1320  To 1853

Steelyard, Stilliarde or Stalhof

Categories: Commerce

Countries: Germany

The Hanseatic League was a commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and their market towns dominated trade along the coasts of Northern Europe, from the 13th to the 17th century. Their trading posts were known as kontors and could become substantial sites. The London kontor was established in 1320 and grew into a separate walled community with its own warehouses, weighing house, chapel, offices and houses. It became known as the Steelyard or Stahlhof. The chapel was not large so they used nearby All Hallows the Great.

Wikipedia has a 1667 plan clearly showing the extent of the site. Most of the buildings were lost in the Great Fire so perhaps this plan was drawn up as part of the rebuilding exercise.

A steelyard balance was erected here to weigh the goods. We’ve read that the Steelyard acquired its name from this weighing device and also that the device got its name from its use at this site. They can’t both be true. The Hansas imported steel along with everything else so that is an alternative derivation of the name of their London base.

The Hanseatic League lost its power and influence from the late 16th century on but the Steelyard was not sold until 3 years before Cannon Street Station was built on the site in 1866.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Steelyard, Stilliarde or Stalhof

Commemorated ati

Cannon Street Station

The Sir John Hawkshaw Cannon Street Station was officially opened by South Ea...

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Hanseatic merchants and 60 years of peace

Let's cover the easy bit first: The German at the end translates as “The old ...

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Bankers Clearing House

Bankers Clearing House

Cheque & Credit Clearing Company (or, in the form of a booklet) is very helpful: "Daily cheque clearings began around 1770 when the bank clerks met at the Five Bells, a tavern in Lombard Street...

Building, Commerce

7 memorials
Walter Scrimgeour

Walter Scrimgeour

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Person, Commerce

1 memorial
Viscount Wakefield of Hythe, Charles Cheers

Viscount Wakefield of Hythe, Charles Cheers

Businessman. Born Liverpool. His brand name being Castrol he was very successful and set up in the City of London. Lord Mayor in 1915-16. Promoted and funded pioneering aviation and motor sports. 1...

Person, Aviation, Commerce, Lord Mayor, Transport

2 memorials
Morris Singer Foundry

Morris Singer Foundry

Founded by John Webb Singer as the Frome Art Metal Works. Cast many of the best known sculptures in London, including the statue of Justice on the Central Criminal Court, 1906. Merged with the Morr...

Place, Commerce, Craft / Design

23 memorials
Thomas Crapper

Thomas Crapper

Plumber. Born in Thorne, Yorkshire, and baptised 28th September 1836, (his exact date of birth is unknown). He is often mistakenly credited with the invention of the flushing lavatory (which actual...

Person, Commerce, Engineering

1 memorial

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Buxton Memorial Fountain

Buxton Memorial Fountain

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Due to strong shadows it was only on our fourth visit that we managed to take a good photo of this important mosaic. High up on the edifi...

8 subjects commemorated, 3 creators
Sanctuary - head on left - Victoria

Sanctuary - head on left - Victoria

SW1, Broad Sanctuary, The Sanctuary, 1-8 Broad Sanctuary

The building is Grade II listed, a terrace of Bath stone buildings incorporating gateway to Dean's Yard. 1853-54 by Sir George Gilbert Sc...

1 subject commemorated
Edgar Allan Poe - N16  - Bust

Edgar Allan Poe - N16 - Bust

N16, Stoke Newington Church Street, 172

Here is a  video of the unveiling.

1 subject commemorated, 4 creators
World's first cash machine - 1992

World's first cash machine - 1992

EN2, The Town, 20, Barclays Bank

This quality plaque. the first to be erected on the site, was subsequently stolen in February 2010. We got there too late so must thank G...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators