A Brewhouse "so called of an hermite sometime being there," at the southern end of Nightingale lane, E. Smithfield (S. 424).
The hermitage, called Swan's Nest, existed here 49 Ed. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 2559).
This hermitage seems to have given its name, not only to the Brewhouse, but to the Stairs and the Dock, etc.
A Dictionary of London. Henry A Harben. 1918.