Difference between revisions of "Ye Olde Fleece Inn"

Latest revision as of 19:24, 27 June 2024

Occupied 14 Highgate - on the west side of Highgate between Yard12 Highgate (entrance to the Old Shambles and Fleece Inn Yard 16 Highgate.

Curwen

Mentioned in "Kirkbie-Kendal, Fragments collected relating to it's ancient Streets and Yards; Church and Castle; Houses and Inns", John F Curwen, 1901 in relation to the Commercial Hotel (later Kendal Hotel) on Hightgate

"It is, however, necessary to retrace back a few steps in order to notice the 'Commercial Hotel', which was built in 1804, when Mr Maskew was 'mine host'. It stands on the site of the ancient Royal Oak Inn, owned by John Fletcher in 1746, and which, like the 'Golden Fleece' opposite, had the facade supported on wooden posts." John F Curwen, Kirkbie Kendal (1900) p31

The Golden Fleece.

Of Inns we seem to have had no end, and for quality of good ale we have earned renown.

"The “ Golden Fleece,” as this inn was named, so as to invite to its shelter, one would suppose, the woolcombers of Kendal, is about the most perfect example left of what the old Butcher’s Row was like. The projecting upper story of lath and plaster is supported on wooden posts, which were renewed some fifty years ago with others of a more finished type. At this time most of the crooks on which the butchers hung their meat disappeared, although a few still remain, and iron railings were fixed in front of the bar windows.

The first mention that we can find of this most cosy inn of the old stamp, romantic in every corner, and possessed at one time by a host having a cellar of sound liquor, a ready wit, and a pretty daughter, is in 1723; when, by will, Christopher Woodburn, a cordwainer, charged it and other premises with the annual payment of 40s. a-piece towards putting out four boys to be apprentices, and 40s. a-piece for finding them shirts and cravats at the commencement of their service. Then again, in 1761, Sir James Lowther and Mr. Upton, “ presenting their compliments to the electors, propose themselves to have the pleasure of waiting upon them, etc., at the ‘Golden Fleece.’ ” Again, in consequence of the bankruptcy of John Petty, the inn was sold on September 4th, 1816, by public auction, the annual rental being placed at £96.

An old painted sign against the north corner has disappeared within the last sixty years, representing a warrior driving a chariot, and which bore the name of Jonathan Harker, coach builder, who in September 1821, removed from Colin Croft to a large workshop up the Old Shambles yard.

Adjoining is the “Fleece Inn” yard, or, as it was known in John Speed’s time, “Cock Lane.” The illustration gives a good idea of its picturesque exit. John F Curwen, Kirkbie Kendal (1900) p72