Originally, there had been an antiquated weighbridge
attached to the front of the pub, having a large beam
from which huge chains hung down. It weighed entire
loaded wagons before they were allowed through
the City Gate(s).

It was available to the public,
courtesy of the City Council.
The above contraption gave rise to the pub's
nickname(s). See Young's book, page 53.

The Council have always had the freehold of the
building, it being adjacent to the City Wall.
Indeed on 4th Sept. 2008 the Council said that
structural problems were delaying any decision
about re-opening.
They confirmed that sections of the Walls
go down to the cellar.

However, in 2010 the pub was sold - see Details.

A photographic record c. 1915 can be found in :
STANDLEY, Philip : Norwich - in old postcards,
Volume 1, page 84.
It includes a sign for the Public Weighbridge,
authorised by Norwich City Council.

Continued . . .

By 1839 John Dunthorne was landlord. In that year
he was fairly old - at age 57. Nevertheless he served
beyond 1864.
His son Samuel had duly taken over by 1867;
but was already 50 in that year.

Samuel Junior was licensee from August 1893
(his dad being 76, but by no means dead).
The younger Sam had little appetite to continue the
family tradition, and gave up after only 6 months.

In 1900 the landlord was also listed as cab proprietor.

Sam's mother did not fancy the role of licensee either.
She had married at the age of 27, to old Sam
- then aged 45.
Sam died around 1920, possibly a centenarian.
His wife did even better; and died aged 103
in March 1938.

She claimed that the pub had been 'in her family'
for over 100 years.
This is hardly true, but it was just over 100 years
between her death and John Dunthorne's arrival.