Prince Arms

Greenwich

Research sent to me from Cindy Holdridge Smith tells me the following.

Sign of the Bear called then The Prince Arms prior to 1645 owned by William Leechland.

Here is the trail of ownership starting with The "Prince Arms" owned by William Leechland and devised in his 1645 will.

William Leechland Will 1645.

Note: William Leechland was the first husband of Mary Everden, the aunt of Susanne (Everden) Batailhe wife of Joseph Batailhe. William was a purveyor of wine to the King’s cellars. Mary (Everden) Leechland married second, John Pole 1st Baronet of Shute, and Mary became Lady Pole (pronounced Pool).

"… Item I do will and devise and bequeath [SNIP] unto my said Marie my wife all singular my messuages lands tenements hereditaments whatsoever [SNIP] land set situate lying and being in East Greenwich in the county of Kent in the parish of All St. Barking Tower of London ward ye Tower of London also where and wheresoever by what name or names soon ye same or any or any of them is or have been called or known whose holdings formed or comprised [SNIP] To have to hold all the and only the said messuages lands tenements and hereditaments [SNIP] to ____ of them and only of them the said Marie my wife for and in the term of her natural life…"

"… And after her decease I do will give remit and appoint and bequeath all and only those said messuages lands tenements hereditaments appurtenances set situate lying and being in the Parish of All St. Barking in London aforesaid to Susan Bataille the wife of Joseph Bataille [SNIP] for the term of her natural life time for her provision and maintenance…"

"… And after the death of Mary my wife, to Bartholomew Hart the messuage and tenement and appurtenances known as the Prince Arms Greenwich and to his heirs and assigns forever…"

The English Civil Wars occurred from 1642 through 1651. The fighting during this period is traditionally broken into three wars: the first happened from 1642 to 1646, the second in 1648, and the third from 1650 to 1651.

It was not uncommon in England for taverns and pubs to change names to indicate allegiance or support for one side or the other. Or in the case of the "Prince Arms" alias Sign of the "Bear," to take on a neutral name in the midst of the chaos of the civil wars.

LICENSEE LIST

LEECHLAND William previous to 1645