York Street

Westminster, St. James's (SW1) Formerly called Petty France, from the number of French refugees who settled here on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV. (Reference: Jesse's London, vol. I, p. 185) Named after the Duke of York, afterwards James II. This was the first street in London paved for foot-passengers. (Reference: Smith's Streets of London, p. 41)