Its inhabitants included the Mountjoy family with whom William Shakespeare lodged at the beginning of the 17th century.[3]
According to Charles Nicholl, who has written a detailed analysis of Shakespeare's life on Silver Street, their house can be identified on the "Woodcut map".[4] The Mountjoys were Huguenots who ran a business making luxury headgear for ladies, including theatrical costumes.
During the Second World War the Cripplegate area, where the street was located, was virtually destroyed in the Blitz.
Legacy
"This was the Parish Church of St. Olave Silver Street, Destroyed by the Dreadfull Fire in the Year 1666"
Plaque on Noble Street commemorating Shakespeare and the Mountjoys
On 21 April 2016, the City of London installed a blue plaque in Noble Street, near the site of the Mountjoys' house.[5][6]
The plaque reads "William Shakespeare had lodgings near here in 1604, at the house of Christopher and Mary Mountjoy".
References
^'Cripplegate, one of the 26 Wards of the City of London' Baddesley, J.J p76: London; Blades, East & Blades; 1921
^"Silver Street". Map of Early Modern London: edited by Janelle Jenstad (University of Victoria). Retrieved 10 February 2021.
^Nicholl, Charles (2007). The Lodger: Shakespeare on Silver Street. London. Allen Lane. The Lodger Shakespeare: His Life on Silver Street. New York: Viking.