International trade at Billingsgate dates back to the earliest Roman period, when the port was first constructed roughly in line with the buildings on the north side of Lower Thames Street.
The name of Billingsgate was recorded around 1000AD when it was already the centre of bustling international trade. Billingsgate was known as Blynesgate and Byllynsgate before the name settled into its present form however, the true origin of the name is unclear.
Originally a general market for corn, coal, iron, wine, salt, pottery, fish and miscellaneous goods, Billingsgate was not exclusively associated with the fish trade until the sixteenth century.
In 1327 Edward III granted a charter to prohibit the setting up of rival markets within 6.6 miles of the City. In 1400 King Henry IV granted to the citizens the right, by charter, to collect tolls and customs at Billingsgate along with other markets.
Billingsgate was the main port for London until an Act of Parliament was passed in 1699 making it "a free and open market for all sorts of fish whatsoever".
Rudolf Ackermann
Fish and seafood were sold from stalls and sheds around the 'hythe' or dock at Billingsgate until the mid-nineteenth century. As the amount of fish handled increased, a purpose-built market became essential. In 1850 a market building was constructed on Lower Thames Street but it proved to be inadequate and was demolished in 1873 to make way for the building which still stands in Lower Thames Street today.
Designed by the City Architect, Sir Horace Jones and built by John Mowlem, Billingsgate opened in 1876 and was the third market building to occupy the site since Roman times. The building is now a landmark Grade 2 listed structure which was refurbished in 1988 by Richard Rogers, one of the world's leading Architects.
