How Scotland Yard was Named

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 780, 28 September 1929, Page 29

How Scotland Yard was Named

early associations Thpre lias always been niueli speculation as to the derivation of the name 0 [ Scotland v ard, writes the Rt. Hon. John Burns in the London “Observer.” I am often asked about it, and have been requested by several to give m y views about the reason why certain pieces of riverside land near Trafalgar Square were first called "Scotlande” then "Great” and “Little" Scotland Yard. Since the embankment of the river, land which must have often been flooded at high tides and therefore not highly cultivable, was in the posaession of the kings of the period, to whom perhaps it had passed probably from the possession of the Abbey. This view, in my judgment, disposes ' of the “Scot and Lot” theory of the , origin of the name. A glance at the old maps, and the fact that there are alive today people who have seen the “mudlarks” at low tide in the fifties and sixties scramble for coppers on the mudbanks at the bottom of Villiers Street, where the trams now run, shows the low-lying position Of the land. Craven Street, not far from the site of Scotland y ar d, was also near to the river, as is : proved by the following, written not very long ago, when Craven Street j was the abode of lawyersIn Craven Street, Strand, ten attorneys find place. Ten heavy coal barges are moored at its base. riy honesty, fly from this Craven retreat For there's craft in the river and craft in the street. To which the lawyer replied:— Why should honesty fly from this Craven retreat Of the lawyers and barges in Craven Street. Strand. Where the lawyers are just at the top of the street And the barges are just at the bottom? The Boat tunnel still in existence in the riverside garden of the old Board of Trade offices abutting on the Horse Guards Avenue proves that when this area of land was not flooded, it was demesne or rough garden ground, attached to the long straggling palace and lodgings occupied in later times by the Scottish entourage of James I. and 11., extending, perhaps, from Cannon Row to the National Liberal Club. But long before this period John Stow, 1598, and Strype, quoting from a pamphlet of 1548, confirming Stow, gives the best description of Scotland Yard as follows: — Scotland Yard, P 4, Strype’s Stow. The House of Scottish Kings “On the left-hand from Charing Cross be also fair tenements, lately builded till ye come to a large Plot of Ground enclosed with brick, and is called Scotland, where great Buildings have been for the receipt of the Kings of Scotland and other Estates of that country. “For Margaret Queen of Scots and sister to King Henry Bth, had her abiding there, when she came into England, after the death of her Husband, as the King of Scotland had in former times when they came to the Parliament of England. "This was first given by King Edgar, a Saxon King, who reigned about the year 959, to Kenneth or Kynald King of Scotland, from whom he had received homage for that Kingdom, and enjoined the said King Kenneth once every year to repair unto him in England for the making of laws, which in those days was done by the noblemen and Peers. To which end the said King Edgar gave that King this Piece of Ground, lying beside the new Palace of Westminster for his residence when he came up, upon which this Kenneth built au House which by him and his posterity was enjoyed until the reign of King Henry the Second, in whose time upon the rebellion of William, then King of Scots, it was resumed into the King of England’s hands. After that the house went to decay, but the ground, where it stood is called Scotland to this day.” Home of Famous Men

Famous men haVe lived at Scotland Yard—John Milton, Inigo Jones, Sir John Denham, Sir C. Wren, Sir John Vanbrugh, and others. The first centralised Police Office was localised there 100 years ago, but in recent years transferred to Cannon Row or Channel Row, near to Westminster Bridge. At New Scotland Yard Lord Byug is now “the cynosure of neighbouring eyes,” and through his just and sensible administration enforcing probity with duty, and both with good temper, on a costly and too numerous police force. In this onerous office all good citizens should help him. A short recital of the history of Scotland Yard may induce all in the force to summon from the past and practise the best traditions of this historic site and give of their honest best the civic courage of Milton, with the sense of duty and dignity of Wren. The London ratepayer has not the advantage that the City Corporation enjoys of a Watch Committee, but is compelled tb accept whatever falls from New Scotland Yard, which the present Chief Commissioner must see remains “Great” Scotland Yard, and is never called again, nor allowed to drop to the level of “Little” Scotland Yard, a place in which mean men with petty aims conspired for ignoble end against the good government of the most crimeless, best-tempered, and soon to be the most sober community in the world.