The ancient division of the City of London into twenty-four wards, each with its own Alderman, is confirmed by the earliest written records, the only additions to this number being in 1394, on the splitting of Farringdon into two wards, and in 1550, with the creation of Bridge Ward Without. Since 1550 the number of wards has remained at twenty-six.
Each ward has a court or wardmote which appoints ward officers, empanels the ward inquest and elects the Alderman and Common Councilmen for the ward.
The rough extent of each ward is described in its collection level description in our online catalogue (see below). Ward maps of the City of London by Ralph Hyde (London Topographical Society (no. 154), 1999) includes reproduction maps of almost all wards. City of London wards are subdivided into precincts, often coterminous with parish boundaries, and precinct minutes are commonly found in parish vestry minute books (for which see Section 16 (i)). In the list below, parish records are not specifically distinguished.
Taxes, royal subsidies and civic rates were generally assessed and collected by ward officials. General rate and tax assessments for the whole City are listed in Section 13; only those relating exclusively to individual wards are listed below. Further tax and rate assessments and inhabitants’ lists are held at London Metropolitan Archives amongst the records of the City Corporation. For further details see London Rate Assessments and Inhabitants Lists in Guildhall Library and the Corporation of London Records Office (2nd edition 1968).
Full catalogue entries for the ward records listed below will be found in our online catalogue (use the “Former catalogue”). To find the entries, do a Classification search for the archival classification number given below in bold, (e.g. WFA or WHC). This search will find the collection level description which shows the full range of manuscript numbers for each collection. N.B. the records need to be ordered in the reading room using Ms numbers, e.g. Ms 11507, as the archival classification numbers are merely a device to ensure the catalogue entries for records appear in the correct order on the computer catalogue.
The records of ward schools are listed in more detail in Section 18(iii). For ward club records, which are not part of ward archives, see Section 21.
ALDERSGATE WARD WFA
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1467-1950
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1848-56, 1888-1976 (presentments 1510-1614 (gaps), 1836-46)
Other minutes, 1833-9 (Deputy and Common Councilmen), 1811-12 (committee), 1811-28 (Land tax commissioners)
Financial records, 1802-1907
Other administrative records, 1639-1876
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1629-1790, 1839-1907 (gaps)
Tax assessments, 1625-61, 1873-9 (Within), 1873-82 (Without)
Rate assessments, 1813-84 (Within), 1840-84 (Without)
School records, 1748-1951
Precinct minutes, 1679-1910 (St Anne and St Agnes), 1703-47 (St John Zachary), and 1747-1821 (St Leonard Foster Lane)
Precinct inhabitants' lists, 1744-1832 (St Leonard Foster Lane)
ALDGATE WARD WFB
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1715-1852
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1758-1804
Other minutes, 1731-84 (Land tax commissioners), 1855-67 (Alderman and Common Councilmen)
Financial records, 1805-1908
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1594-1882
Watch/militia/volunteer records, 1818-40
Tax assessments, 1726, 1840, 1849
Rate assessments, 1829-52
School records, 1723-1907
BASSISHAW WARD WGA
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1735-1856
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1655-1856
Financial records, 1785-1862
Other administrative records, 1608-1792, 1899-1907
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1655-1721
Watch/militia/volunteer records, 1799-1839
Rate assessments, 1608-63, 1727-1908 (gaps)
BILLINGSGATE WARD WGB
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1809-82
Other minutes, 1793-1823 (Land tax commissioners)
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1660-c.1665, 1801-50
Tax assessments, 1807-32 (gaps)
Rate assessments, 1795, 1802-67
Precinct minutes, 1782-1899 (St George Botolph Lane), 1853-72 (St Mary at Hill)
Precinct inquest minutes and presentments, 1739-1826 (St Andrew Hubbard)
Precinct rate assessments, 1709 (St Margaret Pattens)
Precinct inhabitants' lists, 1739-1826 (St Andrew Hubbard)
BISHOPSGATE WARD WGC
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1737-1975
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1847-56
Financial records, 1762-92, 1898-1907
Rate assessments, 1775-99 (Without)
Precinct minutes, 1851-78 (All Hallows Lombard Street), 1723-1907 (St Helen Bishopsgate), 1744-86, 1882-1908 (St Martin Outwich)
Precinct rate assessments, 1790-4 (All Hallows Lombard Street), 1730/1 (St Martin Outwich)
BREAD STREET WARD WGD
Financial records, 1878-1907
Other administrative records, 1851-95, 1990-9
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1884-97, 1923
Tax assessments, 1884-1901 (gaps)
Rate assessments, 1878-90 (gaps)
School records, 1715-27
Precinct minutes, 1855-91 (all precincts), 1640-1800 (St Augustine Watling Street)
BRIDGE WITHIN WARD WGE
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1627-1856
Other minutes, 1783-1842 (Alderman, Deputy and Common Councilmen), 1806-38 (Land tax commissioners and assessors)
Financial records, 1783-1847
Other administrative records, 1807-34
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1634-1872
Watch/militia/volunteer records, 1794-1857
Tax assessments, 1809-62
Rate assessments, 1805-60 (gaps)
Precinct minutes, 1670-1789 (St Benet Gracechurch)
Precinct tax assessments, 1821-34 (St Magnus and St Margaret)
BRIDGE STREET WARD WITHOUT – no records held at Guildhall Library
BROAD STREET WARD WGF
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1780-1896, 1909-82
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1716-25
Other minutes, 1943-66 (Common Councilmen)
Financial records, 1819-1908
Other administrative records, 1924, 1927, 1991, 1995
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1754-1909
Rate assessments, circa1826-40 (arrears)
Precinct minutes, 1838-63 (All Hallows London Wall), 1709-1855 (St Margaret Lothbury East Precinct) 1670-1778 (St Christopher Le Stocks)
Precinct rate assessments, 1712-44 (St Margaret Lothbury East Precinct), 1671-1731 (St Christopher Le Stocks), 1743/4 (St Martin Outwich)
CANDLEWICK WARD WHA
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1807-1985
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1676-1802
Other minutes, 1834-65 (Alderman, Deputy and Common Councilmen)
Financial records, 1835-1905
Other administrative records, 1968-84
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1849-61
Rate assessments, 1843-52
CASTLE BAYNARD WARD WHB
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1780-1955
Other minutes, 1841-1934 (Alderman and Common Councilmen), 1807-35 (Land tax commissioners)
Other administrative records, 1844-72
Watch/militia/volunteer records, 1675/6 (not part of ward archive)
Rate assessments, 1741-1822 (arrears)
School records, 1753-1835
Precinct minutes, 1884-1901 (St Andrew by the Wardrobe), 1718-1862 (St Benet Paul's Wharf), 1745-1839 (St Mary Magdalene Old Fish Street)
CHEAP WARD WHC
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1789-1821, 1949-64
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1701-1829
Other minutes, 1887-1954 (Alderman and Common Councillors)
Financial records, 1898-1907
Other administrative records, 1694, 1892-1966
Watch/militia/volunteer records, 1803
Rate assessments, 1769, 1898-1907
Precinct minutes, 1726-1828 (All Hallows Honey Lane), 1701-1818 (St Mary Colechurch)
Precinct inhabitants' lists, 1727-81 (All Hallows Honey Lane), 1696-1828 (St Mildred Poultry)
Precinct tax assessments, 1702-4 (St Laurence Lane)
COLEMAN STREET WARD WHD
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, circa 1667-1822 (copy), 1815-22, 1851-6
Financial records, 1816-39
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., circa 1747-1872
Rate assessments, 1819-85 (gaps)
School records, 1759-1938
Precinct minutes, circa 1667-1822 (St Stephen Coleman Street) (copy)
CORDWAINER WARD WHE
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1812-1907
Financial records, 1848-1908
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1846-1908
Rate assessments, 1765, 1822-68 (gaps)
School records, 1715-27
CORNHILL WARD WHF
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1571-1879
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1571-1846
Other minutes, 1834-66 (Deputy and Common Councilmen)
Financial records, 1571-1908
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1780-1907
Other administrative records, 1805-50
Tax assessments, 1661, 1801-15
Rate assessments, 1571-1707 (gaps), 1838-9
School records, 1775-1818
CRIPPLEGATE (WITHIN AND WITHOUT) WARD WHG
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1967-78 (agenda)
Other administrative records, 1826, 1967
CRIPPLEGATE (WITHIN) WARD WHH
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1795-1967
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1827-54
Other minutes, 1796-1826 (Land tax commissioners)
Financial records, 1847-51
Rate assessments, 1898-1907
School records, 1712-1892
Precinct minutes, 1583-1676 (St Alban Wood Street), 1683-1784, 1823-61 (St Olave Silver Street), 1625-1812 (St Peter Westcheap)
Precinct inquest minutes and presentments, 1674-97 (St Peter Westcheap)
Precinct tax assessments, 1713 (St Peter Westcheap)
Precinct rate assessments, 1649 (St Alban Wood Street)
CRIPPLEGATE (WITHOUT) WARD WHI
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1732-1860, 1880-90 (agenda), 1900-66
Other minutes, 1800-1966 (Alderman and Common Councilmen), 1732-60 (Land tax commissioners and assessors)
Financial records, 1831-1907
Other administrative records, 19th century
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1754, 1857-90 (gaps)
Precinct rate assessments, 1747-8 (Whitecross Street)
Precinct other records (resolutions of loyalty), 1792 (Fore Street and Grub Street)
DOWGATE WARD WIA
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1806-1940
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1843-56
Other administrative records, 1860
Rate assessments, 1761-1911 (gaps)
FARRINGDON WITHIN WARD WJA
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1741-1863
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1779-1856 (WI 1680-1712 Bodleian Library Rawlinson D725A)
Other minutes, 1824-70 (Common Councilmen)
Other administrative records, 1864
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1737-97
Tax assessments, 1628
School records, 1756-1884
Precinct minutes, 1805-61 (Monkwell), 1669-1734, 1840-1908 (St Ann Blackfriars), 1640-1800 (St Augustine Watling Street), 1744-1918 (St Faith under St Paul), 1692-1872 (St Martin Ludgate), 1795-1946 (St Michael le Querne), 1813-1914 (St Peter Westcheap), 1733-1921 (St Vedast Foster Lane)
Precinct inhabitants' lists, 1673-1827 (St Ann Blackfriars), 1744-1895 (St Faith under St Paul)
Precinct rate assessments, 1678-1828 (St Ann Blackfriars)
FARRINGDON WITHOUT WARD WJB
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1849-54, 1865-1914
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1701-16
Other minutes, 1849-1928 (Common Councilmen), 1900-46 (improvements committee), 1771-1854 (Land tax commissioners)
Financial records, 1849-53
Other administrative records, 1795-1977
Rate assessments, 1757-1857 (gaps)
Precinct minutes, 1820-7 Land tax commissioners (St Andrew Holborn), 1692-1872 (St Martin Ludgate), 1646-1918 (St Sepulchre Holborn)
Precinct inquest minutes and presentments, 1558-1870 (St Dunstan in the West), 1719-1856 (St Sepulchre Holborn), 1808-56 (St Martin Ludgate)
Precinct financial records, 1846-1908 (St Andrew Holborn)
Precinct inhabitants' lists, 1842 (St Andrew Holborn)
Precinct tax assessments, 1761-1865 (gaps) (St Andrew Holborn), 1837 (St Bartholomew the Great), 1671 (St Bride Fleet Street)
Precinct rate assessments, 1760-1852 (St Andrew Holborn), 1841 (St Bartholomew the Great), 1670-1718 (St Bride Fleet Street), 1838 (St Sepulchre Holborn)
LANGBOURN WARD WKA
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1798-1819
Other minutes, 1742-89 (Land tax commissioners), 1817 (watch house committee)
Other administrative records, 1866-7
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1866
Tax assessments, 1692
Rate assessments, 1682, 1705-6, 1907
Precinct minutes, 1851-78 (All Hallows Lombard Street), 1728-1893 (St Dionis Backchurch), 1680-1858 (St Edmund King and Martyr), 1712-1895 (St Gabriel Fenchurch), 1740-1 (St Mary Woolnoth)
Precinct rate assessments, 1702-9 (St Dionis Backchurch)
LIME STREET WARD WKB
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1654-1996
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1838-55
Financial records, 1840-67
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1849-92
School records, 1775-1818
PORTSOKEN WARD WLA
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1771-2 (copy), 1825-61
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1684-1877
Other minutes, 1841-1904 (Wardmote and Common Councilmen), 1890-4 (ratepayers’ committee), 1831-2 (board of health)
Financial records, 1692-1903
Other administrative records, 1779-1872
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1644-1890 (not part of ward archive)
Watch/militia/volunteer records, 1798-1810
Rate assessments, 1815-32, 1840
Precinct minutes, 1583-97 (St Botolph Aldgate)
Precinct tax assessments, 1754-6 (Covent Garden), 1758-61 (High Street)
QUEENHITHE WARD WMA
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1886-1960
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1667-1746
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1900-23
School records, 1847-64 (not part of ward archive, Ms 22902)
Precinct tax assessments, 1724-9 (St Nicholas Cole Abbey and St Mary Mounthaw)
TOWER WARD WNA
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1847-56 (not part of ward archive), 1857-1913, 1921-34
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1851-6
Other minutes, 1854-1940 (Alderman, Deputy and Common Councilmen and benevolent fund committee)
Financial records, 1838-1908 (benevolent fund 1875-1926)
Other administrative records, 1839-1955
Watch/militia/volunteer records, 1832
Rate assessments, circa 1890-1901 (not part of ward archive)
School records, 1846, 1872-82
VINTRY WARD WOA
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1778-1875
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1687-1774, 1834-46
Other minutes, 1838-1909 (Deputy and Common Councilmen)
Financial records, 1687-1774
Rate assessments, circa1860 (copy)
Precinct minutes, 1743-1820 (St Martin Vintry)
WALBROOK WARD WPA
Wardmote minutes and agenda, 1870-1941 (not part of ward archive)
Wardmote inquest minutes and presentments, 1731-1857
Other administrative records, 1795-1951
Inhabitants and officers' lists etc., 1791-1830
Tax assessments, 1775, 1823
Rate assessments, 1823-4
Precinct memoranda and accounts, 1610-1887 (St John Walbrook)
Last updated 5 September 2007
Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section