South out of Upper Thames Street at No. 83 (P.O. Directory). In Dowgate Ward and Vintry Ward.
Earliest mention: "Grenewyches lane," 1281-4 (Cal. L. Bk. A. p. 151).
Other names or forms : "Grenewiches lane," 3 Ed. II. (Cal. L. Bk. D. p. 215). "Grenewychelane," 1318 (Ct. H.W. I 277) "Grenewich lane," 1422 (Cal. L. Bk K. p. 5). "Greenewitch lane," now Frier lane (S. 233). "Fryers lane" (Strype, ed. 1720). "Greenwich Street" (Rocque, 1746).
Riley suggests that the lane may have been built by John de Grenewich, who was living in Dowgate in the time of Ed. II. (Mem. xi.)
Stow says it was called Frier lane of such a signe there set up (S. 233).
If Fryer's lane is to be identified with Greenwich lane, then that lane must have extended further north than the present Greenwich Street and occupied the site of the present Friar's Alley also.
Grenewich lane was unlawfully obstructed for 8 years by the inhabitants of the ward of Dowgate, 1422, and was declared to be a public lane with free passage (Cal. L. Bk. K. p. 5).
Licence was granted to Edward Gisors to enclose a parcel of land at the end of Grenewick lane in Dowgate Ward on condition of his leaving a public way on the common soil as broad as the lane (ib. 109).
Wheatley says the Walbrook ran down this street to the Thames, but the street seems to lie further west than the course of the Walbrook (q.v.).
A Dictionary of London. Henry A Harben. 1918.