Until the Great Fire of London in 1666, Ironmonger Lane was one of only two accesses to the Guildhall (the other being Lawrence Lane), a matter which made the travel of dignitaries difficult as two vehicles could not pass each other.
Before the Great Fire of London in 1666, Ironmonger Lane and Lawrence Lane were the primary means of entry to the Guildhall. This arrangement hindered the movement of dignitaries as it was not possible for two vehicles to move past one another.