Whitecross Street

In his 1720 work, A Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster, John Strype wrote: In Whitecross street, King Henry V. builded one fair House; and founded there a Brotherhood of St. Giles, to be kept.

Which House, had sometime been an Hospital of the French Order, by the Name of St. Giles without Cripplegate, in the Reign of Edward I.

The King having the Jurisdiction, and appointing a Custos thereof, for the Precinct of St. Giles, &c. Which Hospital being suppressed, the Lands were given to the Brotherhood, for the relief of the Poor.

In this Street was a White cross; and near it was built an Arch of Stone, under which ran a Course of Water down to the Moor, called now Moorfields.

Greenwood's articles presented a brutal picture of the lives of London's poorest classes and caused a public sensation.

[6] By the end of the 19th century, the area had become a by-word for poverty and alcohol, and it became known as Squalors' Market.

[9] In recent times, there has been significant investment from Islington Council, the City of London and English Heritage.