Hist. Forms: α. (5 stileyerd, stil-, styliarde, -ierd, -ȝerd), 6 stiliard, (stuliard, -yard), 6–7 stilyard, (6 stwyl-, stylyarde), stilliard(e, (6 stylliarde, 7 styllard, stilliart, stillyart, stilliyard), 6–7, 9 stillyard (6 -yarde). β. 6 stel(e)yard(e, 6–7, 9 steelyard, 7–9 steel-yard. [f. STEEL sb.1 + YARD sb.1; a mistranslation of MLG. stâlhof (whence G. stahlhof in historical use), f. stâl sample, pattern + hof courtyard. The word stâl, pattern, being homophonous with the word for steel, the meaning of the compound was misunderstood.]
1. The place on the north bank of the Thames above London Bridge where the Merchants of the Hanse had their establishment. Also, the merchants collectively.
[1394. in N. & Q., Ser. X. VI. 413/2. In civitate Londonia … in Curia Calibis.]
1474. in Rymer, Foedera (1710), XI. 796/1. Quandam Curiam Londoniæ sitam vocatam Staelhoeff alias Stylgerd [? read Stylȝerd].
1475. Rolls of Parlt., VI. 123/1. The said Merchauntes of the Hanze, shuld have a certeyn place within the Citee of London, called the Stylehof, otherwise called the Stileyerd. Ibid. Where the Maire and Communaltie of the Cite of London, be seased in their demeane as in fee, of the said place called the Stilehof, otherwise called the Stileyerd.
1493. Wriothesley, Chron. (Camden), I. 3. This yeare was a risinge of yonge men againste the Stiliarde.
1546. Acts Privy Council, N. S. I. 360. Bernarde Emeke and Symonde Percevall, merchauntes of the Stwylyarde.
1551–2. Edw. VI., Jrnl. (Roxb.), 390. This day the stiliard put in their aunswere to a certen complaint that they merchauntis adventurers laid against them.
1610. J. More, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), 90. Such … of their goods as remains in the Styllard and other places of this town.
a. 1648. Ld. Herbert, Hen. VIII. (1649), 320. Which Act yet was not extended to the Merchants of the Stillyart.
1752. Carte, Hist. Eng., III. 266. The merchants of the Hanse or (as they were commonly called from their house in an open place where steel had been formerly sold) of the steel-yard.
1885. Pall Mall Gaz., 13 June, 5. To the midst of the present century, when the last stillyard was converted into a London railway terminus.
b. A similar establishment in a provincial town.
1474. in Rymer, Foedera (1710), XI. 796/1. Item, in Villa de Boston Curiam de Staelhoeff, aliàs dictam Stylierd.
1601. in P. Thompson, Hist. Boston (1856), 247. [An acre of land] at the Steelyards.
1676. J. Logan, in Guillim’s Her. (1679), II. 178. Leaving us its large Vaults, Ware-houses, Cellarages, Drapery, Steel-yard, and public Halls, as indications of its [sc. Coventry’s] former opulency and splendour.
1856. P. Thompson, Hist. Boston, 339. The ancient custom-house at Boston was called the ‘Stylyard’s House.’
1890. Gross, Gild Merch., I. 154, note. It is said that there were German Hanse societies or ‘steelyards’ in Hull, York, Newcastle, Boston, and Lynn.
c. A tavern within the precincts of the Steelyard where ‘Rhenish wine’ was sold.
1592. Nashe, P. Penilesse Supplic., F i b. Men, when they are idle, and know not what to do, saith one, let vs goe to the Stilliard, and drinke Rhenish wine.
1607. B. Barnes, Divils Charter, III. v. F 3. Till they transported … By Charon, Ferriman of Black Auerne, Fall Anchor at the Stilliard Tauerne.
1636. J. Taylor (Water P.), Trav. through Signes Zodiack, D 7. There are foure Houses in London that doe sell Rhennish Wine, inhabited onely by Dutchmen; namely, The Stilliyard [etc.].
2. attrib. and Comb. with the sense ‘of or pertaining to the Steelyard,’ ‘produced in or distributed through the Steelyard.’
1551–2. Edw. VI., Lit. Rem. (Roxb.), 509. It were good the Stiliard men ware for this time gentelly aunswerid.
a. 1552. Leland, Itin., VIII. 59. The staple and the stiliard houses yet there [sc. Boston] remayne.
1593. A. Chute, in G. Harvey’s Pierces Super., G g 2. The Rhennish furie of thy braine, Incenst with hot fume of a Stilliard Clime.
1593. G. Harvey, Ibid., D d 1. His Stilliard hatt in his drousie eyes.
1611. Cotgr., s.v. Coquillé, Pain coquillé, a fashion of an hard-crusted loafe, somewhat like our Stillyard Bunne.
1657. Burton’s Diary (1828), I. 181. We make no distinction of Hambrough or stillyard merchants.
