HALFPENNY _alley_. 1. Jacob street. 2. Sharp’s alley, Cow Cross. 3. Halfway house lane, Stepney fields. HALLAM _street_, Gray’s Inn lane. † HALL’S _court_, 1. Compton street.† 2. Deadman’s place.† HALL’S _rents_, Helmet court, St. Catharine’s.† HALL’S _stairs_, Narrow street, Ratcliff.† HALLMOTE, a court so denominated from the place in which it is kept, belongs to the several companies of citizens, by whom it is occasionally held in their respective halls, wherein the affairs of each of the companies are respectively transacted. HALSEY’S _court_, Blackman street.† HALSTED, a village in Essex, between Cray and Sevenoak, near which is the seat of the Duke of Richmond, called Halsted Place. HAM (EAST) a village in Essex, south east of Plaistow, and six miles from London. HAM (WEST) a village in Essex, between Stratford and Little Ilford. HAMBURGH MERCHANTS, a company incorporated by Edward I. in the year 1269, by the name of _Merchant Adventurers_. This being the first company of merchants incorporated in this kingdom, they soon obtained ample privileges of John Duke of Brabant, for establishing a factory at Antwerp. As these merchants proved of great advantage to the nation, their privileges were confirmed and enlarged by several succeeding Princes, particularly by Queen Elizabeth, who impowered the members of this company to extend their commerce to all parts of Germany. This was no sooner known, than very great privileges were offered them by the merchants of Hamburgh, as an encouragement to settle in their city, which being accepted, the factory repaired thither, where they still continue, and are at present known by the appellation of the _Hamburgh Company_, the ancient name being now never used but in deeds, and other writings. This society, since the diminishing of their privileges, and laying open their trade in the reign of King William III. is greatly reduced. _Strype’s edit. of Stow._ [Illustration: _Cascade at Ham Farm._ _S. Wale delin._ _F. Vivares sculp._ ]