London coffee houses and taverns

Robin Hood : London coffee houses and taverns

A historical site about early London coffee houses and taverns and will also link to my current pub history site and also the London street directory

THE ROBIN HOOD.

Mr. Akerman describes a Token of the Robin Hood Tavern : — " iohn thomlinson at the. An archer fitting an arrow to his bow ; a small figure behind, holding an arrow. — ft. in chiswell street, 1667. In the centre, his halfe penny, and i. s. t. Mr. Akerman continues :

" It is easy to perceive what is intended by the representation on the obverse of this token. Though ' Little John/ we are told, stood upwards of six good English feet without his shoes, he is here depicted to suit the popular humour — a dwarf in size, compared with his friend and leader, the bold outlaw. The proximity of Chiswell-street to Finsbury-fields may have led to the adoption of the sign, which was doubtless at a time when archery was considered an elegant as well as an indispensable accomplishment of an English gentleman. It is far from obsolete now, as several low public-houses and beer-shops in the vicinity of London testify. One of them exhibits Robin Hood and his companion dressed in the most approved style of ' Astley's/ and underneath the group is the following irresistible invitation to slake your thirst : —

" Ye archers bold and yeomen good,
Stop and drink with Robin Hood :
If Robin Hood is not at home,
Stop and drink with little John."

" Our London readers could doubtless supply the variorum copies of this elegant distich, which, as this is an age for i Family Shakspeares/ modernized Chaucers, and new versions of ' Robin Hood's Garland' we recommend to the notice of the next editor of the ballads in praise of the Sherwood freebooter."

References : Lots of references are made to two sources on the internet archive :
Edward Callows, Old London Taverns &
John Timbs, Club life of London Volume 2
My Pub history sites.
Street names index A - Z - this includes the 1832 and 1842 street directory

And Last updated on: Wednesday, 06-Feb-2019 22:18:49 GMT

What I am now attempting to achieve is the addition of all early coffee houses in London. Also, it is a great place to add any early taverns and inns which I have not yet listed on my pub history site. I just do not know which parish to add them to, or where they fit in.

London pub history directory.

LONDON Pub History

London Street Listings in 1832.

1832 Index

London street listings in 1842

1842 Index

London Street Listings in 1818 - mainly A and B.

London public houses in 1833 Pigots.

Entire London Street Listing in 1843 - by surname.

London public houses in 1856.

London public houses in 1869.

London 1921 Street directory in 1921

London 1940 Street directory 1940

London Pubs in 2018