Crown Tavern

Crown Tavern, Duck Lane. Mentioned in Ned Ward’s London Spy: after the Spy and his friend tour through Smithfield they stop at the Crown at the end of Duck Lane to enjoy a quart of Claret, “such Inspiring Juice, that we thought our selves Translated into one of the Houses of the Hea­vens, and were there Drinking Immortal Nectar, amongst Gods and Goddesses.”

Neat Barcelona Brandy, as it was Landed, is not only continued to be Sold at Smart's Key at Billingsgate, but also in Smithfield, over against the Crown Tavern at Duck Lane end, at 8 s. per Gallon, and constant Attendance given from Six in the Morning till Eight at Night, at each place.

Post Boy 669, July 20–2, 1699.

1. O. AT . THE . CROVN . TAVERN = A Crown.
   R. IN . WEST . SMITHFILD = I.A.C. Vide No. 2842.

In the rare broadside, entitled, "The Dagonizing of Bartholomew Faire," by the saintly Sir Thomas Adams, Lord Mayor, 1647, it is recorded:

"Entring through Duck lane, at the Crowne,
The soveraigne Cit began to frowne,
As it abated his renowne.
     The paint did so o'ertop him.
"Downe with these Dagons, then quoth he,
They outbrave my dayes regality,
For's pride and partiality,
     Jove crop him."

The Crown Tavern was situated in what was then termed Smithfield Rounds, and was held on the first-floor. The minutes of the Clockmakers' Company show that, having previously held their meetings at the Castle Tavern in Fleet Street, destroyed in the great conflagration, they assembled for the first time after the fire, October 8, 1666, at the Crown Tavern, Smithfield.

Henry Eversden, a publisher of religious books, had his shop on the groundfloor; One of his imprints describes it as being "under the Crown, next Duck lane in West Smithfield, 1670."

Another, to Camfield's "Comprehensive Rule of Righteousness," printed in 1671, states the book to have been "printed for H. Eversden, under the Crown Tavern in West Smithfield."

Here, among the many projects created in 1720 by the South Sea scheme, was suggested an "Insurance office for horses dying natural deaths, stolen, or disabled." The purpose had some plausibility; and a rival adventure followed, at Robin's in Exchange Alley, the capital to be subscribed £2,000,000.—[B.]

"Stollen or strayed on the 18 or 19 Instant, from Newington-Green near Islington, Middlesex, a dark Iron Grey Gelding, ... also a bright Sorrel Gelding ... Whoever shall give notice of them. ... to Captain Clark at the Crown Tavern in West-Smithfield. ... shall be well rewarded for his peins."—The Newes, No. 48, June 22, 1665, p. 483.

317. The Crown Coffee House, West Smithfield.

1666

As Crown Tavern, Search Court meetings of Clockmakers' Co. held here.

1671

Mentioned in Diary of Jeffrey Boys—(Notes & Queries, 27 Dec. 1930.)

1702–14

Listed by Ashton as Smithfield.

1738–45

Listed as West Smithfield when used for masonic meetings in 1738, 1739, 1740, and 1745. During the time of the Bartholomew Fairs in 1701, 1708, and 1725, performers booths were set-up 'over against the Crown'. Or between 'the hospital gate and the Crown'.

317 "Crowne in West Smithfield" 1630s. See Crown & Sceptre No. 5669.

"Within this Crowne hath many Crownes been spent
Good Wine, Attendance good, and good Content
There's Liquor of the best from France and Spain
Which makes this Crowne full weight above a Graine.”
(John Taylor, 1636)

"Crowne" in or near Duck lane West Smithfield 1647–50s; "Crovn Tavern in West Smithfield" c1650s–66; "Crown in the Rovnds in Smithfield" c1660s–72; "the Crown next Duck Lane" 1670–71; "the Crowne in Smythfeald". Tavern. 1690–98; "Crown near the Hospital Gate" 1699; 1702–60s; Crown Tavern 22 West Smithfield 1826–27.

Crown Tavern, Duck Lane, Smithfield.

The so much desired and Enquired for Oyl of Asper, for the benefit and Recreation, of all Anglers and Fishermen. Is Sold, ... At the Crown Coffee-House in West Smithfield.—City Mercury 16, Monday, July 4, 1692

The Leicester Lottery, or the Charitable Adventure, being Five hundred Pounds for Two-pence, is appointed to be drawn on the First Day of November next at the Guild-Hall in Leicester. All persons desirous to be Adventurers, may have Tickets at these places following, viz. ... at Yates's Coffee-House next the Crown Tavern in Smithfield ...—Flying Post 692, October 14–17, 1699.

At Mr. Barns's and Finley's Rope-Dancing Booth, between the Crown-Tavern and Hospital-Gate, over against the Cross-Daggers in Smithfield, during the time of Bartholomew-Fair, where you will see the ENGLISH FLAG hang out, will be perform'd such variety of Dancing, Vaulting, Walking on the slack-Rope, and Tumbling, as has never been seen in this Fair before, they having the Addition of several new and able Performers, added to their Company, who make divers Entertainments to the Spectators, not before seen in England.—Flying Post 981, August 19–21, 1701.

An Entertainment by Mr. CLINCH of BARNET, who imitates the Flute, Double Curtell, the Organ with 3 Voices, the Horn, Huntsman and Pack of Hounds, the Sham Doctor, the Old Woman, the Drunken Man, the Bells: All Instruments are perform'd by his natureal Voice. TO be seen this present Evening, at 7 a Clock at the Crown Tavern in Smithfield. Price 1 s.—Daily Courant 1287, Thursday, May 30, 1706.

     Monday being the last Day of the Term, several Persons appear'd at the Court of King's Bench on their Recognizances, and were continu'd.
     Mr. Orator Henley appear'd upon his Recognizances ...
     As was also Mr. Franklin the Bookseller.
     Mr. Curll was also brought into the said Court, in order to receive Sentence for publishing the Nun in her Smock, and the Treatise of the Use of FLogging; and also for publishing the Memores of Ker of Kersland ...
     At the same time Mr. [William] Wilkins the Printer [favourite of the Whig party] exhibited Articles of the Peace in the King's-Bench Court against Mr. Gumley, his Man Beezley, and Mr. Watson, for their Assault upon him at the Crown-Tavern in Smithfield.—Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer 143, Saturday, Feb. 17, 1728.

This Day is published,
As much as may be published, of
*‡* A LETTER from the Late B—p of R—ch—r to Mr. P—
          To which is added
     The several Advertisements for which Mr. Wilkins was assaulted at the Crown Tavern in Smithfield. Printed for A. Moore near St. Paul's, and sold at the Pamphlet Shops in London and Westminster. Price 3 d.—Mist's Weekly Journal 149, Saturday, Feb. 24, 1728.

The same Day [May 14] dy'd (as 'tis said) very rich, Mr. Twinny, who lately kept the Crown Tavern at the Corner of Duck-Lane, West Smithfield.—Daily Post 3011 Thursday, May 15, 1729.

Last Thursday in the Afternoon, died suddenly as she sat behind the Bar, Mrs. Webb, Mistress of the Crown Tavern; the Corner of Duck-Lane, in West-Smithfield.—St. James's Evening Post 5507, May 2–4, 1745.

To acquaint all Gentlemen,
     That the Crown Tavern, the Corner of Duck-Lane, West-Smithfield, lately occupied by Mr. Webb, deceased, is kept open; where all Gentlemen may depend on good Accommodation, and civil Usage, by
      Their most humble,
          and obedient Servant,
              HENRY PAGE,
        From Pontac's, in Abchurch Lane.— London Gazetteer 33, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 1749

On Thursday was married Mr. John Jones, Master of the Crown Alehouse in Duck Lane, to Miss Butler of Old-Street.—London Chronicle 103, August 25–27, 1757.

On Sunday last died Mr. Samuel Gibson, Sadler, on the paved stones in West Smithfield; he likewise kept the Crown Tavern the corner of Duck-lane, in the same place.—London Evening Post 6714, November 24–27, 1770.

To be Sold by Auction,
By Mr. Kilburn,
On Wednesday, the 18th instant March, and following day, on the premises,
     All the genuine furniture and other effects of the Crown Tavern, the corner of Duck Lane, West-Smithfield; consisting of beds and bedding, chairs, glasses, mahogany tables, beaufets, drawers, marble-tables, mahogany cradle, five large fine carpets, clock, large shuffleboard table and men, a large range smoke-jack, leaden cisterns, coppers, a large quantity of pewter, copper and brass, a neat counter, a large quantity of apparel, some linen, china and other effects. To be viewed on Monday, the 17th inst. to the time of sale, which will begin each day at eleven o'clock.
     Catalogues to be had, the day of viewing, of Mr. Kilburn, St. John's Street, Clerkenwell; and place of sale.— Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser 13 430, Monday, Mar. 16, 1772.

To the BUILDERS.
     The Governors of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, hereby give Notice, that they intend to lett, on a Building Lease, for 61 Years, from Lady-Day next, a Piece of Ground, with the Building thereon, the Corner of Duck-Lane, West Smithfield, late the Crown Tavern (out of the Freedom) containing in Front, next Smithfield, 32 Feet; in Depth, next Duck-Lane, about 76 Feet; and 34 Feet wide at the South End. ...
     A Committee will sit for the above Purpose at the Compting House of the said Hospital, on Friday the 19th of this instant March, where Proposals, sealed up, may in the mean Time be left.—Daily Advertiser 13173, Friday, Mar. 12, 1773.