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High Street
Rochester
01634 814874
http://www.thecrownrochester.co.uk/
https://whatpub.com/crown
Above painting, date unknown, from Medway Archives. Also showing the
"Three Post Boys" (right.) |
Above postcard showing the first tram through Rochester, 9 April, 1909,
also showing the "Gundulph"
(left,) kindly sent by Debi Birkin. |
Photos taken on 28 February, 2013 from
http://www.flickr.com
by Dave Dunmall. |
Above photo 2018, kindly sent by Debi Birkin. |
 
Above sign left, November 1986, sign right 2019.
With thanks from Brian Curtis and Roger Pester
www.innsignsociety.com. |
Identified on the 1866 map above as the dark blue building left. |
 
Above coins 1675, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
The "Crown Inn and Family Hotel," to give it its full name was a Posting
House in the High Street.
The "Crown," or its predecessor, was where Henry VIII came in secret, to
get a sneak preview of his intended fourth bride, Anne of Cleves. Bluff King
Hal's opinions of his Flanders Mare are well recorded, but those of the
landlord at the "Crown," regrettably, are not. Which is a pity, as ‘mine
host's' views in the 1980s on almost any subject are always worth lending an
ear to so says Michael David Mirams in his book "Kent Inns and Inn Signs."
From between the 1980s and around the turn of the century, the pub became
the "Norman
Conquest" but has now reverted back to the "Crown" again.
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From the Diary of Samuel Pepys. Monday 25 September 1665.
We went to the Crowne Inne, at Rochester, and there to supper, and
made ourselves merry with our poor fisher-boy, who told us he had not
been in a bed in the whole seven years since he came to ‘prentice, and
hath two or three more years to serve.
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Kentish Gazette, 9 August, 1783.
On Thursday morning died at Mrs. Fairmarsh in this city, where she
had been on a visit a few days. Mrs. Bayley, of the "Crown" at
Rochester.
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Kentish Gazette, 23 March, 1792.
"Bull Inn," Rochester.
Hester Heath and Son leave to acquaint the public, that in
rebuilding their house (lately destroyed by fire) the
greatest regards has been paid so to arrange the apartments as to
render it most conveniently adapted to the
accommodation of families, and fitted in a style of neatness that
they trust will be much appreciated.
They most respectfully hope they may mentioned to the Gentlemen of
the County, that Mr. Ayres, of the "Crown
Inn," has let his house, and solicits a portion of that patronage he
so long enjoyed; and are, with the utmost
gratitude and respect, the public's most obedient humble servants.
Hester and Matthew Heath.
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Kentish Gazette, 23 March, 1792.
"Crown Inn," Rochester.
Thomas Cornwall, "many years Butler to Mr. John Sawbridge Esq.) Begs
permission to inform the Nobility,
Gentry, and the Public in general, that he has taken the "Crown
Inn," of Mr. Ayres, of Rochester, and enters
upon it in a few weeks; when he humbly hopes for the favour and
protection of his friends and the public in
general; and they may depend that no care or attention shall be
wanted to give satisfaction to every person that
will do him the honour to use his house.
The flattering reception he met with at Maidstone, when he had the
honour to wait on the Gentleman of the
Grand Jury, gives him the greatest hopes of success.
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Kentish Gazette - Tuesday 29 October 1793.
Crown Inn, Rochester.
Cornwell and Smith respectfully beg leave to return the most grateful
acknowledgments to the Nobility Gentry, and Public in general, for the
very great indulgence they have experienced during the time the stables
have been under repair.
They are happy to inform them that they are now finished with large and
convenience stalls, equal to any on the road; and have laid in a large
quantity of hay and corn, of the very best quality. They also beg leave
to observe, they have been particular attentive to the accommodation of
the public in procuring the oldest and best wines of the first vintages,
and take the liberty of assuring them, that every care, attention and
assiduity, will be united in them to merit the continuance of those
favours they have so liberally experienced.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 28 August 1838.
Disturbance at Rochester.
The quiet neighbourhood of Rochester was on Thursday disturbed by an
extraordinary riot and attempt on the part of a large mob of respectable
persons, composed principally of women, to execute summary vengeance on
a person named Willmett. It will be recollected that he was apprehended
some months ago for having intermarried with Miss Eliza Crisp, his
former wife, Hannah Hodgson, being alive. The defence set up was that
Hannah Hodgson was not his wife, though he had married her, because her
former husband was alive. This defence, it is said, has turned out to
have been supported by false evidence. On his acquittal he left
Maidstone in a carriage and four, with his first wife, and a girl named
Sophia Short. This Willmett used originally to live at Rochester, where
his father and he got into debt with the greater part of their
tradesmen, and took French leave of the place about five years ago. When
Willmett got out on a day rule from the Fleet he came down to Rochester
to renew his acquaintance with and marry Miss Crisp. The second wife
lives in Upper George-street, Portman-square. She, accompanied by
Willmett and his father, arrived at the
"Crown" on Thursday evening in a
hired carriage and four, ordering her dinner at eight o’clock, and in
the meantime Willmett and his father paraded up and down opposite Miss
Crisp’s house. In the interval a crowd collected, who began handling the
precious couple very unceremoniously, both of them being knocked down
and pelted with mud, struck over the head with sticks, their cloths torn
off, their watches and money stolen, and every insult possible heaped
upon them. A large number of old women assembled in Ironmonger-lane,
whither the crowd would have taken the Willmetts but for the
interference of the police, for the purpose of putting them into a
stagnant ditch. It ought before to have been mentioned that the
contusion was much heightened by the appearance of another alleged wife
of Willmett’s, who abused him very much, and still further added to the
fury of the mob. On arriving opposite the "Bull Hotel" they were nearly
torn away from the police, and Willmett managed to run up the Bull-yard,
where he was followed, and only escaped with his life by climbing over a
wall ten feet high. The old man was caught by the landlord of the
"Bull," and handed over to the police, the landlord requesting that he
might not be allowed to come there again. The landlord of the "Crown,"
where they were staying, ordered them off, and they were obliged to go
to Gravesend at twelve o'clock at night. Willmet has taken out Warrants
for the apprehension of numerous persons for assaulting him.
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From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 23 November 1861.
Rochester and Chatham.
The wardens have decided on completing the approaches to Rochester
Bridge on the city side, which will necessitate the demolition of a
portion of the ancient "Crown Hotel," together with the "City Arms
Tavern," and the adjoining buildings. A large hotel is to be erected on
the present "Crown Inn."
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Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal 19 February 1808.
DIED.
Thursday, Feb. 18, at Wingham, Mr. Thomas Cornwell, late of the "Crown
Inn," Rochester, aged 62.
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From the Maidstone Gazette and West Kent Courier, 11 September, 1827.
Tolls to let.
Notice is hereby given, that the tolls payable at the Tollgates near the
"Angel Inn," in Strood, and on the New Road, leading from Rochester to
Chatham Hill, in the county of Kent, will separately be let to farm, to
the best bidders, for the term of 2 years, from the 30th day of
November, 1827, at the house of Mr. William Wright, called the "Crown
Inn," in Rochester, aforesaid, on Tuesday, 9th day of October next,
between the hours of 11 in the forenoon and 1 in the afternoon.
No person will be permitted to advance less than £5 at each bidding, and
whoever happens to be the best bidder, must, at the same time, give
security with sufficient sureties to the satisfaction of the
Commissioners of the said Tollgates for Payment of the Rent agreed for
by Quarterly Payments in Advance. The highest bidders will be required
to pay, at the time of the Letting, One Half part of the first quarters
rent and the remainder before the said 30th day of November. The present
Yearly Rent of the Tolls at Strood is £1,185, and of the Tolls at the
New Road £195.
By order of the Commissioners Edward Twopeny, Clerk.
Rochester 3rd August. 1827.
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From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 2 November 1861.
The Annual Dinner of the Gravesend and Rochester Agricultural Society
took place on Wednesday last, at the "Crown Hotel," Rochester. About 100
gentlemen were present, and the chair was filled by T. H. Day, Esq. On
his rights sat the Mayor of Rochester, and on his left Lord Holmesdale,
M.P. for West Kent. The latter gentleman in his remarks, alluded to the
question of invasion as a reason why the army should not be reduced.
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From the
http://www.dailymail.co.uk By Alice Evans, 28 May 2017.
Cyclist is airlifted to hospital with serious head
injuries 'after a road rage row with a motorcyclist sparked when he
jumped a red light'.
A cyclist has suffered serious head injuries after an alleged road rage
argument with a motorcylist became violent, it has been reported.
Four police cars were called out this morning and officers cordoned off
an area around the "Crown" pub in Rochester, Kent.
The cyclist, who has been airlifted to a London hospital, reportedly had
a fit after being assaulted on the busy dual carriageway.
An area outside the pub on Rochester High Street was cordoned off after
the alleged attack.
Detectives are now investigating the alleged bust-up, which happened
near the 103-year-old Rochester Bridge.
A police spokesman told MailOnline: 'Kent Police was called at 10.07am
on Sunday 28 May 2017 to a report of an assault in Rochester High
Street.
'It is believed there was an altercation between a motorcyclist and a
cyclist prior to the assault.
'Officers attended along with SECAMB (air ambulance) and the cyclist has
been flown to a London hospital with serious head injuries. Officers
remain at the scene at this time and enquiries are ongoing.'
It was reported that a man on a bike 'jumped a red light' before
allegedly being hit by a motorbike driver.
After the alleged attack the motorcyclist drove off while a member of
the public put the victim in the recovery position.
One witness, who did not wish to be named, told Kent Online that a male
cyclist jumped a red light before a motorcyclist dismounted and began
hitting him.
The witness said the victim then fell to the floor and had what appeared
to be a fit.
A member of the public put the victim into the recovery position but
witnesses said the motorcyclist drove off as a baseball cap and a
blood-stained item of clothing were left on the pavement.
The Crown Pub was open as usual as officers inspected the scene this
morning.
They tweeted: 'Open as usual! Incident outside is nothing to do with
pub.'
Officers are now understood to be examining CCTV footage of the area to
try and piece together what happened.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Nicola Jordan, 29 October 2019.
Shepherd Neame buys Rochester's Crown pub.
A landmark town centre pub has been bought by Kent brewery Shepherd Neame.
The Crown is at the top of High Street, Rochester, looking out onto the
historic bridge and River Medway.
Crown Pub, Corporation Street, Rochester.
The present building dates back to the late 1700s.
It is not known at this stage what the Faversham-based brewery intends
to do with it or how much it paid.
But the guide price for the business was £1.1million.
For the past 20 years, father Steve Kray and his eldest son Pete have
been manning the pumps.
They firmly believe their hands-on teamwork has helped them survive a
series of challenges.
Steve and Pete Kray at The Crownin Rochester High Street. Picture: Chris
Davey. (12958306)
Steve, 58, has now retired and 35-year-old Pete, who started helping out
when he was 15, will continue to work at the pub as manager.
When Steve bought the pub, he closed it for six weeks for refurbishment
and reverted the name from the "Norman Conquest," adopted by the previous
owner, back to the "Crown" to be more in-keeping with the historic town.
The original pub on the site catered for royalty, including Elizabeth I
and King Charles V of Spain, before it was demolished.
Shepherd Neame's director of retail and tenanted operations, Nigel
Bunting, said: "We are always looking for opportunities to add
high-quality outlets to our estate.
"The Crown is a great pub in a fantastic location, and we are confident
it will prove a valuable addition to our portfolio.
"We look forward to working with Peter and the team to ensure The
Crown’s offer continues to go from strength to strength.”
Shepherd Neame, Britain's oldest brewer, has 323 pubs across London and
the south east.
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LICENSEE LIST
BROOKER Art 1675+
WAREHAM Mr 1735+
BAYLEY 1783+
AYRES Mr 1792
CORNWELL Thomas & SMITH ???? Mar/1792-Feb/1808
WRIGHT William 1827-32+
 
CALDER Mr to Dec/1845
WILLSON George 1847+
DUNCAN James 1851+ ("Crown Inn Tap," St Nicholas.)
DUFFILL William Daniel 1911+ (age 69 in 1911 )
KRAY Steve & Pete (son) 1999-2020+
William Duffill died in the "Dover
Castle," Teynham in 1924.
Probate:- of "Dover Castle,"
Green Street, Teynham, Kent to Edward David Duffill and David James Duffill
Licensed Victuallers.
The assumption could be made that his two sons were the Publicans of that
establishment – however, I have no proof other than this Probate record.
Kentish
Chronicle
From
the Pigot's Directory 1828-29
From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34
Census
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