DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Maidstone, June, 2023.

Page Updated Maidstone:- Thursday, 15 June, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1867-

Royal Albion

Open 2020+

23 Havelock Lane

Maidstone

01622 691789

https://www.royalalbionmaidstone.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/royal-albion

Royal Albion 1930

Above photo, date unknown, by kind permission of Eric Hartland.

Royal Albion 2014 Royal Albion 2014

Above photos by Roy Moore, 16 April 2014.

Royal Albion 2008

Above photo 2008 by David Anstiss Creative Commons Licence.

Royal Albion sign 1986Royal Albion sign 1991

Above sign left, September 1986, sign right, October 1991.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Royalo Albion sign 1994Royal Albion sign 2010

Above sign left, March 1994, sign right, 2010.

Royal Albion painting

Painting, date unknown by Eddie Tucker.

 

The "Royal Albion" has the honour of being the oldest building in Maidstone - it is at least 500 years old and is a typical Kentish white weatherboarded property situated in the town centre next to the Fremlin Walk shopping centre, and close to the county museum and shops.

At this inn, General Fairfax took the surrender of the local Royalist troops in June 1648, with the last battle was in Havock Lane. The Royal Albion exhibits ghostly manifestations. these include ‘Haughty Ann’, the beautiful daughter of the proprietor who was courted by many. However, she spurned them all. She said she would remain a virgin rather than marry. Ann died of a fever and her ghost has returned looking for an eligible young man. It is also haunted by Martin Shotwood, who made another proprietor’s daughter, Sarah Oake, pregnant. He took flight from the "Royal Albion," leaving her distraught. She drowned herself, and he later hanged himself in remorse when he discovered what unhappy course she had taken. When Shotwood manifests, observers describe him as wearing a dark grey suit, with tears coursing down his cheeks.

One time a Mason's tied house, but the brewery was bought out by Shepherd Neame in 1956 and the brewery was subsequently closed and the brewery demolished.

 

Local knowledge, further pictures, and licensee information would be appreciated.

I will be adding the historical information when I find or are sent it, but this project is a very big one, and I do not know when or where the information will come from.

All emails are answered.

 

LICENSEE LIST

FRY Thomas 1867+ Post Office Directory 1867

HAWKS Henry 1882-1902 dec'd

HAWKS Emma (widow) 1902-31 dec'd (age 65 in 1911Census)

CHITTENDEN Charles William 1938+

WARDELL Sharon 2006-23 Next pub licensee had

https://pubwiki.co.uk/RoyalAlbion.shtml

 

Post Office Directory 1867From the Post Office Directory 1867

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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LINK to http://www.kentphotoarchive.com/