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8 London Road
Strood
https://whatpub.com/crispin-crispianus
Above drawing, date unknown. |
Above photo, 1920s, taken from
http://www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk |
Above image taken from a magic lantern slide, date unknown, kindly sent
by Max Carter. |
Above photo 1945. |
Above photo, circa 1956, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo 1978, taken from
http://www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk |
Above photo, 1992. |
Above photo, 2009. |
 
Above sign left, 1920s, sign right 1970.
With thanks from Roger Pester
www.innsignsociety.com
 
Above sign left 1978, sign right, 1990.
With thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com. |
This was mentioned in a book called the "History of Strood" by Henry
Smetham, published 1899, who says it was situated at the foot of Strood Hill
on the north side, and that Charles Dickens had a partiality for the house,
of which a full account can be found in Mr. Hughes' "Week Tramp in
Dickensland."
Reputedly this 13th century building was once a meeting place for the
Guild of Shoemaker's. Hence the name.
Crispin & Crispianus were two saints whose festival is celebrated on 25th
October. They are said to be born in Rome, but fled to Gaul in the middle of
the third century AD where they died as Martyrs in 287 AD. They maintained
themselves whilst preaching by shoemakers, so they are now considered the
patron saints of that occupation. It is said that St Crispin was so keen to
help the poor that he stole leather to make shoes for them.
The pub of this name has stood on Watling Street in Strood for many
centuries and was immortalized by the chapter on 'Tramps' in Charles
Dickens' 'The Unconventional Traveller.'
The pub closed for renovation in 2010, but in March 2011 it was destroyed
by fire.
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From the Maidstone Gazette and East Kent Courier, 12 October, 1830.
An Eccentric Character died at Strood, a few days since, and was buried
in the churchyard there. He had resided in the neighbourhood for many
years, and during the last nine years lodged at the "Crispin and
Crispianus," a public house at the foot of Strood Hill, following the
occupation of a pedlar, associating with the working classes, and during
the weekdays generally wearing a round frock. Report states that he has
left considerable property, and that his real name was Charles Parrett
Hangar, Baron Coleraine.
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From
http://www.kentonline.co.uk 27 March, 2011, by Lynn Cox
DICKENS PUB DESTROYED IN MASSIVE FIRE.
A road closed after a blaze gutted an iconic pub frequented by
Charles Dickens has finally reopened.
London Road in Strood was cordoned off while structural engineers
assessed the historic Century "Crispin and Crispianus."
Builders are hoping it can be saved after a massive fire.
The blaze ripped through the derelict building for several hours on
Saturday night.
When the road was closed it caused traffic hold-ups and diversions
amid fears the pub might have to be pulled down. It finally reopened on
Tuesday afternoon.
It is thought the grade-II listed building is structurally unsafe. It
is currently covered in scaffolding as more work is carried out.
Engineers from Medway Council visited the site on Sunday and had a
full inspection on Monday to determine whether or not the pub can be
spared the bulldozers.
About 50 fire-fighers tackled the blaze, which destroyed the roof of
the timber building and most of the interior.
The London Road pub is on an 1836 map, but it is thought to have been
built in the 17th century.
It was torched at about 9.30pm. It is not known exactly why the pub
closed last year, but it has been boarded up since September.
Charles Dickens, is said to have often visited the Crispin on walks
from his Higham home.
According to a biographer, the Victorian author would stop for a
glass of ale - or a little cold brandy and water - and sit in the corner
opposite the fireplace.
Crews from Medway, Strood, Rainham, Gillingham and Thames-side
stations were among those who helped put out the fire.
Fire-fighters were at the scene until about 3am and a crew was still
damping down small pockets of fire on Sunday morning.
One fire-fighter said: "When we arrived, the flames were licking
through the roof.
"We had six appliances and more support vehicles as the pub is
timber-framed. We had to stop the flames spreading to nearby buildings,
which we did.
"We suspect the fire was suspicious and an investigation into its
cause has been launched."
A Medway Police spokesman said: "No arrests have been made and we are
still investigating the cause of the fire.
"The building may be unsafe as a result of the fire and a structural
engineer was due to go out and assess it."
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Above photo, September 2013 showing the re-roofed building. |
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Nicola Jordan, 19 November 2021.
B&B plan for Charles Dickens' Crispin and Crispianus pub in Strood.
At last there are great expectations for a pub once frequented by
Charles Dickens as work gets under way to turn it into a B&B.
The Crispin and Crispianus in Strood, which was ravaged by a fire,
was bought at auction for £92,000 in 2012.
But since then there appears to have been no progress into
refurbishing the historic hostelry amid fears it would remain a
boarded-up eyesore in the town centre for years to come.
However, the new owner, who does not want to be named, is currently
working with a team to convert it into 14 en-suite guest rooms.
Born and bred in the town, he hopes to introduce a theme to honour
the great novelist who used to drop in for a tipple on the way back
to his home at Gad's Hill, Higham.
He said: "It is a big job and I can't say how long it will take. But
we shall do it and breathe new life into the place.
"We have been working with conservationists to ensure the work is
carried out properly."
The pub was said to be a favourite of the literary icon and provided
inspiration for his colourful characters.
Dickens apparently sat in the corner drinking ale while
people-watching in order to better understand the intricacies of
human behaviour.
The 17th century boozer featured in his 1860 work The Uncommercial
Traveller, where he described how travelling workers would stay
there.
A blaze ripped through the derelict business in London Road in March
2011 destroying the timber frame and interior.
A joint investigation by Kent Fire and Rescue Service and police
concluded it was arson.
Firefighters hose down the Crispin and Crispianus pub in Strood
after the fire in March 2011. Picture by William Shuter.
The A2 was closed for days and traffic diverted around the site
until the building was deemed safe. |
LICENSEE LIST
COLLINS Stanley 1828+
COLLINS Ann 1832+
GRAY Thomas 1858-62+ (age 54 in 1861 )
MASTERS Thomas Martin 1871-91+ (age 47 in 1891)
ELFORD George 1901-13+ (age 59 in 1911)
ELFORD Emma Mrs 1918-22+
SWEETMAN Sidney Herbert 1930-38+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/CrispinCrispianus.shtml
http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/crispincrispianus.html
From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29
From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
Census
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