Billingsgate

Billingsgate is a small City Ward in London. It is situated on the north bank of the River Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge in the south-east of the Square Mile.

It has been known as a fish-market in London situated below London Bridge, and also a name given to the low, coarse language indulged in there. It was originally a general market but in the sixteenth century it was exclusively associated with fish trade. In 1699 an Act of Parliament made it "a free and open market for all sorts of fish whatsoever". The only exception was the sale of eels which was restricted to Dutch fishermen whose boats were moored in the Thames. Until the mid-nineteenth century. In 1982 the Market relocated to Docklands.

Nearby pages
​​Billion, Billionaire, Billionth, Billiton, Billon