Page "Walthamstow" Paragraph 3

Walthamstow is recorded c. 1075 as Wilcumestowe (" The Place of Welcome ") and in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Wilcumestou.

King John visited Shern Hall ( Shernhall Street ), in 1213 ; the building survived until 1896.

At one point Walthamstow was just a culmination of five small villages, and affairs were discussed at Vestry House, acting as the first town hall.

In 1870 it had grown to the size of a small suburb and a town hall was built in Orford Road from which affairs of the village were run ( which now takes place in Forest Road-since 1941 ).

Until the 19th century it was largely rural, with a small village centre ( now Walthamstow Village — see below ) and a number of large estates.

The main route through the district was the aforementioned Hoe Street.

Additionally, there were various smaller lanes, crossing the town.

The road now known as Forest Road was originally called Clay Street.

Further south, the High Street was named Marsh Street, and led from the original settlement out to the marshes.

Shernhall Street is an ancient route, as is Wood Street, to the east.