18. Basinghall, or Bassishaw Ward, consisteth only of Basinghall
Street, and a small part of the street along London Wall.

The public buildings of this ward are Blackwell Hall, Masons' Hall,
Weavers' Hall, Coopers' Hall, Girdlers' Hall, and St. Michael
Bassishaw Church.

Blackwell Hall is situated between Basinghall Street on the east,
and Guildhall Yard on the west, being formerly called Bakewell Hall,
from the family of the Bakewells, whose mansion-house stood here
anno 1315, which falling to the Crown, was purchased by the City of
King Richard II., and converted into a warehouse and market for
woollen manufactures; and by an act of common council anno 1516, it
was appointed to be the only market for woollen manufactures sold in
the City, except baize, the profits being settled on Christ's
Hospital, which arise from the lodging and pitching of the cloth in
the respective warehouses, there being one assigned for the
Devonshire cloths, and others for the Gloucester, Worcester,
Kentish, Medley, Spanish cloths, and blankets. The profits also of
the baize brought to Leadenhall are settled on the same hospital.
These cloths pay a penny a week each for pitching, and a halfpenny a
week resting; stockings and blankets pay by the pack, all which
bring in a considerable revenue, being under the direction of the
governors of Christ's Hospital. This hall was destroyed by the
Fire, and rebuilt by Christ's Hospital, anno 1672. The doorcase on
the front towards Guildhall is of stone, adorned with two columns,
entablature, and pediment of the Doric order. In the pediment are
the King's arms, and the arms of London under them, enriched with
Cupids, &c.