Leen Lane
Leen Lane, took its name from a merchant family which owned property in it in the 13th century. Later blocked, in the 14th and 15th centuries it gave access to St. Oswald's vicarage and St. Giles's bakehouse. It is one of the four surviving medieval "lanes" in Chester, they being Godstall Lane, Feathers Lane, Pierpoint Lane and Leen Lane.
In 1905 Haswell descibes it as follows:
- "This Leen Lane has entirely disappeared as a thoroughfare leading off Eastgate Street. I cannot find any trace of it upon the maps of the period; but may I suggest that its northern termination still exists in that narrow passage opposite the east end of the Music Hall, between Messrs. McHattie’s warehouse and St. Werburgh Chambers? Webb, in 1621, refers to it as "Peen Lane.""
Early maps indicate that a "pavement" was found hereabouts, but it is not known whether this is Roman or Medieval. In recent years it has become a bin store for adjacent businesses. In 2022 it was announced that it was "in line for historic restoration", with the local authority stating that:
- "This latest work will restore the unique character of this alleyway, which is in the heart of the conservation area and opposite Chester Cathedral. Leen Lane has lost its historic charm over many years as the city has adapted to the day to day needs of surrounding businesses. These improvements will enhance this historic route within the city centre and retain the level of intrigue particularly from the Northgate Street entrance."
After restoration the bins were replaced.
At some point the stone post on the corner of the lane with St Werburgh Street was replaced with a "Cannon Bollard". These have quite an interesting history: after the defeat of the French at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, the British started to strip the French boats and reuse anything of value. When it came to the cannons however, it was found that they were too large to be retrofitted onto British ships. Determined to find a way to flaunt their victory over the French, the British decided instead to use them as street bollards throughout the East End of London. This idea proved so popular that after the original cannons had all been used, replicas were made and these started to adorn more and more streets, both in London and elsewhere.
