St Benet Sherehog, Medieval church building in Cordwainer Ward, City of London, England
St Benet Sherehog was a medieval church building in Cordwainer Ward, located where No. 1 Poultry now stands. The site housed a religious structure built before 1111 with architectural features typical of early medieval London churches.
Originally dedicated to Saint Osyth, the church later became known by its medieval name. The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed it along with around 85 other parish churches, but unlike many others, it was never rebuilt.
The name comes from a castrated ram after its first shearing, reflecting the wool traders who worked nearby in medieval times. This connection to local crafts shows how parish names often tied to the neighborhoods they served.
The former church grounds can only be viewed from the outside today as the site has been developed. The location is close to the Bank of England and easily reached by walking through the City of London streets.
The church was eventually known by a name tied to the wool trade rather than its original dedication. Visitors standing at No. 1 Poultry today can imagine how this religious space once occupied this busy corner of the City.
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