The London Borough of Hackney was formed in 1965 from Hackney, Shoreditch and Stoke Newington. Its history includes Holywell Priory, England's first playhouse built in Shoreditch in 1576, Sutton House of 1535, the New River bringing London its drinking water, French Huguenot silk weavers, Stoke Newington's Quakers and writers, railways that ended Hackney's rural reputation, and the Hackney Battalion on D-Day.
Oldest first
Newest first
🏰
Middle Ages
1066 – 1485
1086
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Domesday Book
Domesday Book (1086) doesn't count Hackney on its own: Hackney was a sub-manor of the Manor of Stepney, so it is only assessed as part of Stepney. Stoke Newington's manor is recorded as Neutone, in the Ossulstone hundred of the county of Middlesex.
From the records: “The Domesday Book of 1086 covered England at manorial level, so Hackney is only assessed as part of Manor of Stepney, of which it was a sub-manor.”
About 1148
✒️
Soredich
Shoreditch's name appears in early records as Soredich (about 1148), Soresdic (1183–1184), Sordig (1204) and Schoresdich (1220–1221).
From the records: “Early spellings of the name include Soredich (c. 1148), Soresdic (1183–1184), Sordig (1204), Schoresdich (1220–1221), and other variants.”
1100s–1539
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Holywell Priory
From the 1100s Shoreditch had a house of canonesses, the Augustinian Holywell Priory, named after a holy well on the site. It lasted until it was dissolved in 1539.
From the records: “Shoreditch was the site of a house of canonesses, the Augustinian Holywell Priory (named after a Holy Well on the site), from the 12th century until its dissolution in 1539.”
1231
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Hakney
Hackney's name first appears in surviving records as Hakney in 1231, and as Hakeneye in 1242 and 1294. In the 1200s it was also written Hackenaye or Hacquenye. No certain explanation of the name has been put forward.
From the records: “The first surviving records of the place name are Hakney (1231) and Hakeneye (1242 and 1294).”
About 1275
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Hackney's church
Hackney's church is first recorded around 1275, and Hackney may have been a parish of its own by then.
From the records: “Hackney's church is first recorded around 1275 and Hackney may have been an independent parish by that time.”
1343
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Homerton
Homerton was first recorded in 1343. But archaeologists digging at Link Street found a building from the 1000s or 1100s, which suggests Homerton existed before then.
From the records: “Archaeological excavations at Link Street exposed a building dating to the 11th or 12th century suggesting that Homerton existed before it was first recorded in 1343.”
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Tudors and Stuarts
1485 – 1714
1535
Still here today
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Sutton House
Sutton House, on Homerton High Street, was built in 1535 as Bryck Place for Sir Ralph Sadleir, a diplomat. It is the oldest surviving home in Hackney.
From the records: “Sutton House, on Homerton High Street, is the oldest surviving dwelling in Hackney, originally built in 1535 as Bryck Place for Sir Ralph Sadleir, a diplomat.”
1576
🎭
The Theatre
In 1574 the City authorities banned the building of playhouses in the City of London. In 1576 James Burbage built the first playhouse in England, called 'The Theatre', on the site of the old priory in Shoreditch. In the 1500s Shoreditch was an important centre of Elizabethan theatre. The Theatre's site was excavated in 2008, and a plaque on Curtain Road remembers it.
From the records: “In 1574, the City authorities banned the building of playhouses in the City of London area.”
1599
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Off to build the Globe
When the lease ran out in 1599, Shakespeare's company moved the timbers of The Theatre to Southwark to build the Globe. Another playhouse, the Curtain, kept performing plays in Shoreditch until at least 1627.
From the records: “Shakespeare's Company moved the timbers of "The Theatre" to Southwark at the expiration of the lease in 1599, in order to construct the Globe.”
1600s
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The Tower Division
As London's population grew quickly in the 1600s, the hundred it was in was split into 'Divisions', and Shoreditch became part of the Tower Division (also called Tower Hamlets). The men of the Tower Division owed military service to the Tower of London, an arrangement that lasted until 1899.
From the records: “Rapid Population growth around London saw the Hundred split into several 'Divisions' during the 1600s, with Shoreditch part of the Tower Division (aka Tower Hamlets).”
1613
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The New River
The New River opened in 1613, taking water from the Lea catchment to give London drinking water. Since the 1500s Stoke Newington has played an important part in London's water supply.
From the records: “The New River was opened in 1613, diverting water from the Lea catchment to create a source of drinking water for London.”
1621
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The hackney coach
The first recorded 'hackney coach', which came before the hackney carriage, ran in London in 1621. Today the usual view is that the word 'hackney' for a London taxi comes from the village's name.
From the records: “The first documented "hackney coach"—the forerunner of the more generic "hackney carriage"—operated in London in 1621.”
1600s
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Silk weavers
During the 1600s wealthy traders and French Huguenot silk weavers moved to the area, starting a textile industry in Shoreditch, Spitalfields and the places around them.
From the records: “During the 17th century, wealthy traders and French Huguenot silkweavers moved to the area, establishing a textile industry in Shoreditch, Spitalfields and surrounding areas.”
Before 1682
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Prince Rupert's mill
Prince Rupert set up a new watermill on the marshes for a better way of boring guns. But the secret died with him in 1682, and the business collapsed.
From the records: “A new watermill was established on the marshes by Prince Rupert for an improved method of boring guns; however, the secret died with him in 1682, and the enterprise collapsed.”
About 1660–1731
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Daniel Defoe
The writer Daniel Defoe (about 1660–1731) lived on Church Street in Stoke Newington, at what is now numbers 95–103.
From the records: “Daniel Defoe (c. 1660–1731), writer, lived on Church Street at what is now nos. 95–103.”
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Georgians
1714 – 1837
1715–1770
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The Gravel Pit Meeting House
The Unitarian Gravel Pit Meeting House was built by Money Lane in 1715–1716. In 1770 the philosopher Richard Price, known for supporting the American Revolution, became its morning preacher, while still giving afternoon sermons at Newington Green Chapel, on the green where he lived.
From the records: “South of the Brook, by Money Lane, the Unitarian Gravel Pit Meeting House was built between 1715 and 1716.”
1770s
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Loddiges nursery
In the 1770s one of the largest and most celebrated plant nurseries in England opened in Hackney: Loddiges Paradise Field Nursery, known as The Hackney Botanic Nursery Garden. It was founded by the German-born Joachim Conrad Loddiges and carried on by his son George.
From the records: “In the 1770s Hackney became home to one of the largest and most celebrated plant nurseries in England, Loddiges Paradise Field Nursery, founded by German born Joachim Conrad Loddiges (1738–1826) and continued by his son George Loddiges (1786–1846), and known as The Hackney Botanic Nursery Garden.”
1770s
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A Roman causeway
In the 1770s a Roman stone causeway was discovered on the marshes.
From the records: “A Roman stone causeway was discovered in the 1770s.”
1777
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St Leonard's workhouse
In 1777 Shoreditch's parish of St Leonard opened a new three-storey workhouse, with an infirmary and an apothecary. It was paid for by a tax passed by an Act of Parliament in 1774.
From the records: “Saint Leonard's new, three-story workhouse (with infirmary and apothecary) was opened in 1777, thanks to a levy tax passed by an Act of Parliament in 1774.”
1790s
Still here today
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Clissold Mansion
Clissold Mansion was built in the 1790s for Jonathan Hoare, a local Quaker. It stands in Clissold Park, which also has a small menagerie and an aviary.
From the records: “To the south of these facilities is Clissold Park, which contains a small menagerie, aviary and Clissold Mansion, a Grade II listed building, built in the 1790s for Jonathan Hoare, a local Quaker and brother of Samuel Hoare.”
1820s
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The first school bus
George Shillibeer ran a successful trial of the world's first school bus, for Newington Academy for Girls in Stoke Newington, a new Quaker school started by William Allen and Susanna Corder.
From the records: “The latter were introduced into central London in the 1820s by George Shillibeer after his successful trial of the world's first school bus for William Allen and Susanna Corder's novel Quaker school, Newington Academy for Girls.”
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Victorians
1837 – 1901
1837–1940
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The Standard Theatre
The National Standard Theatre stood at Shoreditch High Street from 1837 to 1940. In the late 1800s it was one of the largest theatres in London. John Douglass, its owner from 1845, wrote that one of his plays there used a hansom cab drawn by a live horse, 'with real rain, a real flood, and a real balloon'.
From the records: “The National Standard Theatre, 2/3/4 Shoreditch High Street (1837–1940).”
1847–1880s
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The railways come
In 1847 a railway from Dalston to Stratford opened to carry coal. Building railways in the 1850s linked Hackney to other parts of the city and ended its rural reputation. When this line was later developed for passengers, the medieval heart of Homerton village was rebuilt in the 1880s with Victorian homes and pubs.
From the records: “A spur connecting the North London Railway at Dalston to Stratford, forming a part of the Eastern Counties and Thames Junction Railway, opened in 1847 for the carriage of coal.”
Mid-1800s
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Stoke Newington's Quakers
By the middle of the 1800s Stoke Newington had 'the largest concentration of Quakers in London', including many who had moved up the A10 from the Gracechurch Street meeting house in the City.
From the records: “By the mid-19th century, Stoke Newington had "the largest concentration of Quakers in London", including many who had moved up the A10 from Gracechurch Street meeting house in the city.”
1854–1856
Still here today
🏰
A pumping station like a castle
The pumping station at the gates of the Stoke Newington reservoir was built in 1854–1856 in a castle-like style, designed by Robert Billings. In 1995 it became a climbing centre.
From the records: “The pumping station at the reservoir gates, converted to a climbing centre in 1995 was designed in a distinctive castellated style by Robert Billings under the supervision of William Chadwell Mylne and built in 1854–1856.”
1849–1859
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Dalston grows
In 1849 Dalston was described as 'a recently increased suburban village, with some handsome old houses'. By 1859 it had outgrown its neighbour, and with the railways and continuous building, the village of Kingsland disappeared.
From the records: “By 1849, it was described as "a recently increased suburban village, with some handsome old houses", and by 1859 the village had exceeded its neighbour and, with the railways and continuous building, the village of Kingsland disappeared.”
1859–1912
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Hackney's soldiers
In 1859 fear of a possible French invasion led to the creation of the Volunteer Force, partly made up of local Rifle Volunteer Companies. From 1860 to 1912 Hackney was part of the recruiting district of the 7th Battalion of the Essex Regiment, and from 1912 Hackney raised its own infantry battalion.
From the records: “In 1859, fear of a potential French Invasion led to measures such as the launch of iron-hulled HMS Warrior, and the creation of the Volunteer Force, formed in part from local communities forming Rifle Volunteer Companies (RVC).”
1860
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Hackney Brook goes underground
In 1860 the Metropolitan Board of Works fully culverted Hackney Brook, enclosing it underground.
From the records: “Hackney Brook was fully culverted in 1860 by the Metropolitan Board of Works.”
1870
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The Eastern Fever Hospital
By the 1860s London was suffering epidemics of fever. In September 1870 the Metropolitan Asylums Board founded the 200-bed Eastern Fever Hospital in Homerton to stop infection spreading. Its buildings were almost all demolished in 1982, and the site became the heart of Homerton University Hospital, which opened in 1986.
From the records: “By the 1860s, London fell prey to epidemics of fever.”
1880s
Still here today
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Ridley Road Market
Ridley Road Market in Dalston was set up in the 1880s. It is opposite Dalston Kingsland railway station.
From the records: “Established in the 1880s, Ridley Road Market is opposite Dalston Kingsland railway station.”
1886–1894
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Holy Trinity, Shoreditch
In 1886 the parish of Holy Trinity, Shoreditch was created for a growing population. Its first vicar was Arthur Osborne Montgomery Jay. By 1889 the church, with a church hall and a school, had opened on Old Nichol Street, and in 1894 it opened a lodging house, Trinity Chambers.
From the records: “In 1886, the parish of Holy Trinity, Shoreditch, was created to meet the needs of a growing population; the first vicar was the Anglo-Catholic priest, Arthur Osborne Montgomery Jay, son of William James Jay, chaplain to Duleep Singh.”
1855–1900
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Hackney and Stoke Newington part ways
In 1855 the parishes of Hackney and Stoke Newington were merged into one Hackney District. This was unpopular, especially in Stoke Newington, and after four unsuccessful attempts the two parishes were separated in 1893 by mutual consent. In 1900 they became metropolitan boroughs.
From the records: “The Metropolis Management Act 1855 merged the civil parishes of Hackney and Stoke Newington under a new Hackney District.”
✈️
The World Wars
1901 – 1945
1915
💣
The first air raid
In May 1915 the first bomb of the first air raid on London fell on 16 Alkham Road, West Hackney. It was dropped from the German Army airship LZ 38.
From the records: “The first bomb of the first air raid on London, fell on 16 Alkham Road, West Hackney, in May 1915 by the German Army airship LZ 38.”
1919–2019
☕
Syd's coffee stall
Syd's coffee stall opened in Calvert Avenue, Shoreditch, in 1919 and kept going without a break until 2019.
From the records: “Syd's coffee stall was established in Calvert Avenue in 1919 and operated continuously until 2019.”
1930s
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Stamford Hill
Many grand houses once stood in Stoke Newington and Stamford Hill. From the 1930s Stamford Hill became a centre for Hackney's many Orthodox Jewish residents.
From the records: “Many grand houses stood in Stoke Newington and Stamford Hill; the latter neighbourhood became a center of Hackney's many Orthodox Jewish residents from the 1930s.”
1930s–1960s
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Standing up to the far right
In the 1930s, 1940s and 1960s Oswald Mosley and the far-right groups he founded held provocative rallies in Dalston, targeting the area's large Jewish and other minority populations. Many local people opposed them, together with groups such as the 43 Group in the 1940s and the 62 Group from 1962, and there were violent clashes, notably around Ridley Road and Hertford Road.
From the records: “During the 1930s, 1940s and 1960s the area's large Jewish and other minority populations made it a target for provocative rallies by Oswald Mosley and the far-right organisations he founded.”
1935–1937
Still here today
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Stoke Newington Town Hall
Stoke Newington's Town Hall, of curved brick and Portland stone, was built between 1935 and 1937 for the Metropolitan Borough of Stoke Newington.
From the records: “Between 1935 and 1937, the curved brick and Portland stone Town Hall was built for the Metropolitan Borough of Stoke Newington by J.”
1944
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The Hackney Battalion on D-Day
Early on the morning of D-Day, 6 June 1944, the Hackney Battalion came ashore under fire at and around Bernières-sur-Mer on Juno Beach, supporting the Canadian 3rd Division.
From the records: “The Hackney Battalion came ashore under fire, in support of the Canadian 3rd Division, at and around Bernières-sur-Mer, Juno Beach, early on the morning of D-Day, the 6th June 1944.”
🏙️
Modern times
Since 1945
1953
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A village in London
Church Street, the old heart of Stoke Newington, keeps a London village character. In 1953 it led Nikolaus Pevsner to write that he found it hard to see the district as being in London at all.
From the records: “The historical core on Stoke Newington Church Street retains the distinct London village character that led Nikolaus Pevsner to write in 1953 that he found it hard to see the district as being in London at all.”
1965
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The London Borough of Hackney
In 1965 Hackney joined with Shoreditch and Stoke Newington to form the new London Borough of Hackney.
From the records: “In 1965, Hackney merged with Shoreditch and Stoke Newington to form the new London Borough of Hackney.”