Eastcheap

Eastcheap was a street and district in medieval London, located in the City of London, east of London Bridge. It was historically known as a bustling market area and a center of trade and commerce, particularly for butchers and cooks, giving it a somewhat disreputable reputation.

Its fame rests largely on its depiction in William Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1 and Henry IV, Part 2. In these plays, Eastcheap is presented as the location of the Boar's Head Tavern, a favorite haunt of Prince Hal (later King Henry V) and his companion, Sir John Falstaff. Shakespeare's portrayal solidified Eastcheap's place in literary history and popular imagination as a site of revelry, low life, and comedic antics.

The historical Eastcheap was significantly impacted by the Great Fire of London in 1666, which destroyed much of the area. While rebuilt, it never regained its former prominence and distinctive character as portrayed in Shakespeare's works. Today, the modern street of Eastcheap roughly follows the line of its medieval predecessor, although the specific character and establishments described by Shakespeare have long since disappeared. The area remains primarily commercial.