Articles 10 and 11 of the presentments in Bishop Bancroft's 1598–9 visitation offer details about the tenancy of St Paul's north and south churchyards. Item 10 presents 'diuers Tenants dwelling within the North and South Churchyardes within the Buttresses of the walles of the said Church.' The tenants have built cellars that threaten the church's foundations, and the smoke from their fires darkens the church windows and annoys patrons. Item 11 observes that the tenants have defaced the churchyard walls and bounds through building projects and repairs to their houses.