Helga Lekamens Gränd
Encyclopedia
Helga Lekamens Gränd is an alley
in Gamla stan
, the old town in central Stockholm
, Sweden
. Connecting Västerlånggatan
to Stora Nygatan
, it forms a parallel street to Stora Gråmunkegränd
and Göran Hälsinges Gränd
.
The alley is mentioned as Helge lycama grendh in 1505, named after Helga Lekamens gille, "Guild
of the Holy Body of Christ
", during the Middle Ages the biggest guild in Sweden, appearing in historical records in the 14th century and known to count royalties among its members. The accounts of the guild from the 15th and 16th centuries is still an important historical source offering glimpses of the Medieval era. While many such charity alliances were named after the Body of Christ, the guild in question apparently fell into oblivion following the Reformation
, as the name of the alley was shortened to Lekamegränden in the early 17th century, to be renamed Lilla Gråmunkegränd ("Smaller Greyfriars Alley") in 1722. To avoid confusion the old historical name was however resumed in 1922.
Alley
An alley or alleyway is a narrow lane found in urban areas, often for pedestrians only, which usually runs between or behind buildings. In older cities and towns in Europe, alleys are often what is left of a medieval street network, or a right of way or ancient footpath in an urban setting...
in Gamla stan
Gamla stan
Gamla stan , until 1980 officially Staden mellan broarna , is the old town of Stockholm, Sweden. Gamla stan consists primarily of the island Stadsholmen. The surrounding islets Riddarholmen, Helgeandsholmen, and Strömsborg are officially part of, but not colloquially included in, Gamla stan...
, the old town in central Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. Connecting Västerlånggatan
Västerlånggatan
Västerlånggatan is a street in Gamla stan, the old town of Stockholm, Sweden. Stretching southward between the squares Mynttorget and Järntorget, it follows the course of the city's now demolished 13th century defensive wall....
to Stora Nygatan
Stora Nygatan
Stora Nygatan is a street in Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden.Old names : nyegatun , nyia gaatan, den nya Konnungsgatun, stora konungsgatun , den store Nye gatan , Konnungsgatun , Nye gaten, KongsGaten , Kongs- eller stoora Nygatan, stora Kongs- el' Nygatan , Stora...
, it forms a parallel street to Stora Gråmunkegränd
Stora Gråmunkegränd
Stora Gråmunkegränd is an alley in Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden. Stretching west from Västerlånggatan down to Munkbron and Munkbroleden, it is crossed by Stora Nygatan, and forms a parallel street to Storkyrkobrinken and Helga Lekamens Gränd.The alley is named after the...
and Göran Hälsinges Gränd
Göran Hälsinges Gränd
Göran Hälsinges Gränd is an alley in Gamla stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden. Connecting Västerlånggatan to Stora Nygatan, it forms a parallel street to Helga Lekamens Gränd and Ignatiigränd....
.
The alley is mentioned as Helge lycama grendh in 1505, named after Helga Lekamens gille, "Guild
Guild
A guild is an association of craftsmen in a particular trade. The earliest types of guild were formed as confraternities of workers. They were organized in a manner something between a trade union, a cartel, and a secret society...
of the Holy Body of Christ
Body of Christ
In Christian theology, the term Body of Christ has two separate connotations: it may refer to Jesus's statement about the Eucharist at the Last Supper that "This is my body" in , or the explicit usage of the term by the Apostle Paul in to refer to the Christian Church.Although in general usage the...
", during the Middle Ages the biggest guild in Sweden, appearing in historical records in the 14th century and known to count royalties among its members. The accounts of the guild from the 15th and 16th centuries is still an important historical source offering glimpses of the Medieval era. While many such charity alliances were named after the Body of Christ, the guild in question apparently fell into oblivion following the Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
, as the name of the alley was shortened to Lekamegränden in the early 17th century, to be renamed Lilla Gråmunkegränd ("Smaller Greyfriars Alley") in 1722. To avoid confusion the old historical name was however resumed in 1922.