BOW

Bow, also known as Stratford le Bow or Stratford atte Bow, is situated about 2 miles northeast of Whitechapel and was originally in the County of Middlesex. It became important as a route from London to Essex in the 12th century when a bridge was built across the river Lea to replace the Roman bridge further north at Old Ford. The wife of Henry I is said to have had the bridge built here and being shaped like a bow gave the area its name. Bow became a centre for the unloading of goods brought down the river Lea from Hertfordshire for the London market and by the early 14th century had sufficient population to have its own chapel.

The chapel was enlarged in the 15th century but did not become a separate parish from Stepney until 1719. In 1801 the population was still small and it was not until the second half of the 19th century that industrial development had brought the area into suburban London. The modern day church of St. Mary, situated in an island in the middle of Bow Road, is the only relic of the former medieval village.

St. Mary's church c.1903
Picture from Carol Twite's postcard collection.

Greenwood's Maps 1827:

Bow and surrounding area [161 Kbytes]

Church Records:

• St. Mary, Bow Rd
  Baptisms 1538-1956, Marriages 1539-1968, Burials 1538-1862 : LMA
  Baptisms 1956- date, Marriages 1968- date : Not deposited
• Congregational Chapel, Harley St
  Baptisms 1876-1926, Marriages 1876-1925 : LMA
• Our Lady and St. Catherine of Siena (Roman Catholic), Bow Rd
  Formed 1868