KINGS ARMS Pub of Canterbury

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Canterbury, December, 2023.

Page Updated:- Saturday, 16 December, 2023.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1738-

Kings Arms

Latest 1930+

49 St. Peter's Street

Canterbury

Above two photos taken from the Historic Canterbury web site www.machadoink.com

Above photo, circa 1910, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above picture from Google, July 2009, showing the premises of 49 St. Peter's Street.

Above photo, October 2017, kindly taken and sent by Rory Kehoe.

Traced back to 1828 so far and up to 1930. The premises seems to be the same today but to date I do not know when it ceased trading as a public house. Around the turn of the 20th century the licensee Richard Kempton was also a professor of music and I believe the building also operated as "The Canterbury Electric Theatre" and put on plays and exhibitions including the following:- "August 2, 1913 - Manager E. Cawse-Morgon. The Eagle's Claw, The study of a modern scientific criminal in a series of breathless sensations." Also:- "Special cricket week attractions. Monday Tuesday and Wednesday, George Gray in "The Fighting Parson" Thursday, Friday and Saturday - Will Evans in his screamingly absurdity, "Harnessing a Horse." Information taken from .

PARES, David, St. Peters Canterbury, pugilist - opened boxing school at King's Arms, St. Peter's Street. (Kentish Gazette 26-29 1790 p. 1 col. 2)

Derby Mercury, Thursday 26 October, 1738.

Canterbury, October 21st. On Monday the 16th instant was committed to our Gaol, one Caleb Campbel, soldier, who quartered at the "Kings Arms" in St. Peter's, for the horrid fact of ravishing Elizabeth Burton, a child about 5 years old. He abused the child's body, and gave her the foul disease, which is even attended with a very violent Gonorrhoea. She is under the hands of Mr. Sall, Man Midwife. The fellow is in Irons; but we hear denies the fact, tho' he confesses he has got the distemper upon him, and that he has had it for some months.

Kentish Gazette, 6 December, 1780.

On Friday last five well-dressed sharpers, who had been at Hythe fair, arrived at the "King's Arms," in St. Peter's where they stayed that night. The next morning they walked into the city, and returned about 12 o'clock, in company with Mr. Hockless, a farmer near Whitstable. After calling for some liquor, they proposed the stale trick of laying a wager that Hockless did not show them £30 in half an hour. The wager was laid, and while the men went out to borrow the money, they ordered the ostler to get their horses ready. Hockless soon returned, and on showing the money two of them knocked him down, took away the £30, and rifled his pockets of £4 more; then shutting the room door, they mounted their horses and rode off full speed towards London.

In about 10 minutes after the man, who was during that time deprived of his senses, recovered, and on relating the whole affair to the landlord, an immediate pursuit was made by several persons as far as Strood, but we hear without success.

Kentish Gazette 09 October 1787.

CANTERBURY, Oct 9.

Thursday last died Mr. William Lodge, one of his Majesty's Yeoman of the Guards, and the person who seized Maureen Nicholson, when she attempted to stab the King: he was some years since master of the "King's Arms Inn," in this city.

Kentish Gazette, 5 July 1794

With Mr. Ely at the "Kings Arms"..... at "Kings Arms" on a Jury of a drowned man. ....NB …desired Mr. Ely to give me an estimate of such repairs wanting at the "Kings Arms" in his business.

Kentish Gazette, 16 May, 1806.

TO BE LET.

BY Tender of Rent, on Lease, for the term of 14 years from Michaelmas 1806.

Lot 1. All that well-established PUBLIC HOUSE, known by the sign of the "Blue Anchor," with the buildings, yards, gardens, and appurtenances, situate in Littlebourne street, in the county of Kent.

Lot 2. All that other well-established PUBLIC HOUSE, known by the sign of the "King's Arms," with the buildings and appurtenances, situate in Saint Peter's-street, in the city of Canterbury.

Lot 3. All that other well-established PUBLIC HOUSE, known by the sign of the "Monument," with the garden and appurtenances, situate in the parish of Saint Dunstan, in the said county of Kent.

Lot 4. All that other well-established PUBLIC HOUSE, known by the sign of "Prince Charles," with the stable and yard, situate in the parish of Holy Cross Westgate, in the said country of Kent.

Lot 5. All that well-established CAPITAL INN, or PUBLIC HOUSE, known by the sign of "Sir John Falstaff," with the coach-houses, stables, yards, gardens, and appurtenances, situate in the said parish of Holy Cross Westgate.

All the above lots are in the occupation of Mr. John Abbott, or his undertenants.

Tenders of rent, for either or any of the above lots, to be delivered sealed up, on or before the 18th June next, to Mr. Cumming, of Canterbury; of whom, in the mean time, the conditions of letting may be seen.

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal 13 February 1818.

MARRIED.

Feb. 10, at St. Peter's Church, Canterbury, Mr. Tucker of Deal, to Mrs. Rouse, landlady of the "King's Arms" public-house, St. Peter's-street, Canterbury.

Kentish Gazette, 4 February 1820.

DEATH.

February 1, in Rosemary Lane, Canterbury, after being deprived of the use of her limbs for the last ten years, Mrs. Gillet, relict of Mr. Gillet, formerly landlord of the "King's Arms" public house.

Kentish Gazette, 11 July 1820.

TO BE LET,

THE INN and FOUR following PUBLIC HOUSES.

The "SIR JOHN FALSTAFF INN," and the house known as the "PRINCE CHARLES," in the Parish of Westgate; the "MONUMENT," in the parish of St. Dunstan’s; and the "ANCHOR," in the parish of Littlebourne, in the County of Kent; and the "KING’S ARMS," situated in the parish of St. Peter's in the City of Canterbury.

They are Let to John Abbott, Esq., St. Dunstan's by Lease, which will expire at Michaelmas next.

Further particulars may be known on application to Mr. GURNEY CROASDILL, Thannington Court.

Kent Gazette, 15 January 1839.

TO LET.

The "King's Arms" public house, St. Peter's Street, Canterbury.

Apply on the premises.

From the Kentish Gazette, 21 November 1843.

DEATH.

Nov 12, in Northgate-street, Canterbury, Mrs. Susannah Marsh, relict of Mr. John Marsh, of the "Kings Arms Inn," St. Peter’s-street, in this City, aged 50.

Kentish Gazette, 31 December 1844.

A FREE PUBLIC HOUSE. TO BE LET, With immediate possession.

THAT old-established and well-known PUBLIC HOUSE, the "KING’S ARMS INN," situated in Saint Peter’s Street, CANTERBURY. Coming-in moderate.

Apply to Mr. George Cook, Appraiser, &c., 8, Saint George’s Terrace, Canterbury.

Kentish Gazette, 14 December 1847.

The Hop Dinner at the "King’s Arms Inn," St. Peter's Street, Canterbury, last week, was very numerously and respectably attended. A first-rate dinner, consisting of turbot and other fish, haunch of mutton, substantial joints, a profusion of game of all descriptions, and confectionaries, was placed upon the table. The whole was admirably served up, and afforded universal satisfaction. The wines were excellent, and the festivity of the day was maintained to a late hour. The duty for next season was set at, £150,000.

From the Kentish Gazette, 29 August 1848.

The County Court was opened an Thursday last by C. Harwood, Esq. There were no cases of general importance, if we except that of the renewal of a demand upon the Secretary of the "King’s Arms" £20 Burial Society for payment of a claim upon the death of a member. The case had been referred to arbitration, and the decision, from some informality, had led to the plaintiff's being non-suited. The arguments pro and con. occupied the court a long time, when the judge stated that he had not the power to alter his judgment. He then confirmed the order of non-suit, reserving the question of costs to a future occasion, when the subject will probably be re-opened by a new trial.

Kentish Gazette, 24 September 1850.

Early on Sunday morning week and upper chamber of the "King's Arms" public house, kept by Mr. Perkins, in this city, was entered, and between £11 and £12, and a quantity of plate, carried off.

Kentish Gazette, 10 August 1852.

To Gentleman and servants and others, "King's Arms Inn," Canterbury.

To be let, with immediate possession, the above well-known inn, with stabling, coach houses, &c., situated in the centre of the principal thoroughfare of Canterbury.

The fixtures and furniture to be taken at a fair evaluation.

For further particulars apply at Beer and Co's Original Brewery, Canterbury.

Kentish Gazette, 31 August 1852.

Insolvent.

John Perkins, late of the "King's Arms," St. Peter's Street, appeared for his first examination in insolvency. His debts were represented to be to £174 17s. 10d. credits, £10. 2s. 2d. Insolvent, who was supported by Mr. Delasaux, and was unopposed, received an interim order of protection against appearing at next Court for his final order.

Canterbury Journal, Kentish Times and Farmers' Gazette 30 April 1853.

CANTERBURY

An inquest was held on Wednesday by Mr. Delasaux at the "King's Arms," on the body of an aged woman, named Elizabeth Clark, who was taken ill on Sunday, and died before medical attendance could be obtained. A witness deposed that she went to five surgeons, four of whom were out, and the fifth too ill to attend, and that by the time she did find one to comply with her request, the woman was dead, Mr. T. S. Cooper, who had since made an external examination, gave an opinion that there was nothing to indicate other than natural causes for death, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Kentish Gazette, 3 May 1853.

An inquest was held on Wednesday by Mr. Delasaux, at the "King's Arms," Canterbury, on the body of an aged woman, named Elizabeth Clark, who was taken ill on Sunday, and died before medical attendance could be obtained. A witness deposed that she went to five surgeons, four of whom were out, and the fifth too ill to attend, and that by the time she did find one to comply with her request, the woman was dead. Mr. T. S. Cooper, who had since made an external examination, gave an opinion that there was nothing to indicate other than natural causes for death, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

South Eastern Gazette 7 September 1858.

DIED.

On the 30th ult, at Brompton, Middlesex, Mr. W. Solly, aged 51 years. Deceased was son of the late Mr. Richard Solly of the "King's Arms Inn," Canterbury.

From the Kentish Chronicle. 20 August 1859. Price 1½d.

THURSDAY.

(Before the Mayor, Alderman Plummer, T. Philpott Esq., and Captain Love.)

John West Tolhurst, landlord of the “King's Arms.” St. Peters, was charged with having sold two glasses of foreign wine without a license, on the 30th alt.

The defendant pleaded guilty to selling the wine, but submitted in extenuating that he was asked for some wine by a party and that he sent out and bought it of a neighbour, and sold it at the same price as he gave for it. He was not aware that he was doing wrong. as he made no profit by selling the wine.

Mr. Hamilton said he had reasons to believe that the defendant had carried on the practice for the put twelve months.

This the defend denied.

The Major said the fine for such an offence was £50 but the bench had power to mitigate it, and they would do so its much as they could. The defendant would therefore have to pay a fine of £12 10s.

South Eastern Gazette, 21 August, 1860.

Sudden Death.

On Monday evening last an lnquest was held at the "King’s Arms," St. Peter’s, before T. T. Delasaux, Esq., coroner, respecting the death of a man known by the name of "Jim." It appeared that the deceased was lodging at a house in Groves-lane, and on the night of the 11th inst. he was seized with a fit, and shortly afterwards expired. Mr. C. Holttum, surgeon, who had made a post mortem examination of the body, attributed the cause of death to a rupture of the middle cerebral of the base of the brain, which might have been produced by natural causes, as there was disease of that vessel.

Verdict "Natural death."

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 14 May 1870.

A MIDNIGHT SPREE AND ITS RESULTS.

Edwin Standven was charged with assaulting Police Sergeant Hayward whilst in the execution of his duty on Saturday morning.

Defendant pleaded not guilty.

P.S. Hayward stated that he was in the High Street on Saturday morning between one and two, and heard a disturbance taking place in the upper part of the town, in which direction he immediately proceeded. On arriving as far as Mercery Lane, he heard the noise of a stone against the shutters of Mr. Mason’s shop, and saw three men in the road, one of whom he recognised as Standven, who on seeing him ran down Butchery Lane. He met the other two and complained to them of their conduct in the streets, and whilst he was talking to them several stones were thrown at him from the corner of Mercery Lane by a person whom he thought was Standven.

P.C. Rye being also on the scene, witness dispatched him in pursuit of defendant, who ran away. Witness was afterwards passing the "King’s Arms," St. Peter’s when he heard the defendant talking inside at the bar about the affair, and boasting about what he had done to a policeman who had tried to take up one of his friends. Witness looked in and observed "This is exactly what I want, Standven;" and the defendant then admitted that he threw the stones, and said he did not wish to get any one else into a row. A complaint was also made to him of one of the coke fires being upset in the road by the three men.

Cross-examined by defendant: Could not swear it was you who threw the stones, but you afterwards admitted it was you.

P.C. Rye said he was with the last witness at the time mentioned. Stones were thrown against Mr. Reeves’ shutters and three persons were seen running from that direction, the defendant being one. He ran round an afterwards stood at the corner of Mercery Lane and pelted P.C. Hayward with stones. Witness ran after him but could not catch him. He was afterwards outside the "King's Arms" and heard defendant boasting of what he had done and subsequently make the admission to P.C. Hayward. He could swear the defendant was the person who threw the stones and the one whom he chased.

Defendant stated that he had been out to a party and was talking to a friend with whom he had been in company, at the "King's Arms," the latter, being somewhat inebriated, telling the other persons who were in the bar that he had been throwing stones at a policeman. He (defendant) thereupon declared that it was him who threw the stones. He said so more out of a joke than anything, and he did not think the magistrates would convict on such an admission, in the absence of actual proof of the offence.

The Superintendent having stated that the defendant was a very respectable young man, but that he was very fond of a spree, the Mayor impressed upon the defendant the serious nature of the offence in the eyes of the law and his liability either to fine or imprisonment, but remarked that as the defendant did not appear to have any enmity towards the police sergeant, the magistrates would punish the offence with as much leniency as possible, and would inflict a fine only of £1 and 11s. costs.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 14 February 1903.

CANTERBURY BREWSTER SESSIONS.

CHIEF CONSTABLE’S REPORT.

I have given notice of objection to the following houses:-

"King's Arms," St. Peter's Street.— That the house is used as a common lodging house; that disorderly conduct has been permitted on the premises; that the sanitary arrangements are unsatisfactory; that the side doors in St. Peter’s drove are dangerous to persons leaving the premises; that the premises are not properly adapted for police supervision, and that the licence is not required to meet the wants of the neighbourhood.

THE KING'S ARMS, ST. PETER'S STREET.

The first case dealt with was that of the "King’s Arms," St. Peter's Street, the renewal of the licence of which the Superintendent opposed.

Chief Constable Farmery stated that he visited the house on December 4th. Besides being licensed premises it was used as a common lodging-house. There was accommodation for over twenty lodgers. The trade of the house was three barrels besides two gallons of spirits. The premises were in a fair state of repair. The lodgers constituted a great nuisance and there had been complaints of disorderly scenes in the back yard. The complaints were chiefly made by the deacons of the Wesleyan Chapel and owners of adjoining property. There was a side door to the house in St. Peter’s Grove and it was very dangerous, the door being flush with the road and there being no foot path. There were two other entrances to the house in St. Peter’s Grove. The house was placed out of bounds by the military authorities in 1891, and it had not since been withdrawn. He also objected to the house as being unnecessary. The "Black Griffin" was 218 feet away, the "Crown and Sceptre" 168 feet, the "Three Compasses" 118 feet, and the "Cricketers" 50 feet. There were five houses within seventy yards.

Mr. Lewis Glyn, K.C. (instructed by Messrs. Mowll and Mowll), appeared for the brewers, Messrs. Leney and Co , Dover, and said there had never been any summons against the holder of the licence of the house.

Superintendent Farmery said that was so.

Mr. Glyn:— The tenant has held the licence for ten years?

Superintendent Farmery:— Yes.

Mr. Glyn asked the Superintendent if his objection was chiefly to the use of the house as a common lodging-house.

Superintendent Farmery said that if that was done away with a great part of the trouble would go, but he objected to a side door and other matters, which he described in detail.

The Chairman asked Mr. Glyn if he gave an undertaking that the lodgers would be taken away.

Mr. Glyn replied in the affirmative and said the house belonged to Messrs. Leney and was the only house they had in Canterbury. The tenant of the house, Bushell, was of exemplary character. He was formerly in the Kent County Constabulary, and there had never been a summons against him during the whole period he had kept the house. Messrs. Leney were prepared to do anything that the Bench considered ought to be done.

Superintendent Farmery said there was an entrance to the house at the back and he considered that a wall should be built there.

The Chairman said the licence would be renewed if the common lodging house business were done away with and if the side doors were closed and a wall erected at the back of the premises. The Justices could not say what might happen next year when another Bench considered the question of the licences in the ward.

Mr. Glyn gave the required undertaking regarding the structural alterations and the doing away of the common lodging-house business.

THE DECISIONS. SIX RENEWALS REFUSED

The Magistrates retired for the purpose of considering the cases. On their return into Court the Chairman said the Magistrates had given a great deal of consideration to the cases having regard to the consequences of their decisions. In the case of the "King's Arm’s" the Justices had decided that it must stand over in order that plans could be submitted and approved for the alterations required by the police and the Surveyor. The plans would have to be submitted by the 21st inst., so that they might be considered before the adjourned Sessions to be held on the 25th, and an undertaking would have to be given that the plans would be carried out to the satisfaction of the police and the Surveyor and a written undertaking would have to be given agreeing to the withdrawal of the lodgers.

The Sessions were then adjourned until February 25th.

At one stage I believe this was operating as Longley's Pork Shop, but the date of this is at present unknown.

Rory kehow says:- "Longley's traded on this site until the late 1990s. Not sure if there was anything trading on these premises in between the "King's Arms" closing in the 1930s and Longley's setting up shop.

LICENSEE LIST

LODGE William (master) pre Oct/1787

ELY Mr 1794+

ROUSE Mrs to Feb/1818

TUCKER Mrs (nee Rouse) Feb/1818+

GILLET Mr pre 1820

SOLLY Richard 1824-29+