 Hackney was a favourite residence of wealthy Londoners from the Middle Ages until the 19th century and the largest Middlesex parish included in the County of London (created 1889).Near the south-western corner it was about 1,800 metres north of the bar (gate) of London at Bishopsgate.From here a section of Ermine Street under various names led north for 3,800 metres to enter Tottenham at Stamford Hill.