Research :
Lord Napier fought in the Indian Mutiny.
Otherwise probably known as Admiral Sir Charles Napier.
John Sadler was the first licensee and also the original
owner; although he gave up the licence in 1874.
In 1884 the property passed to B. S. Breeze, of The Close.
By 1925 Morgan's had taken over.
The pub was closed under the Compensation Act
on 23rd December 1939.
Research :
John Seaman became landlord in December 1873,
and was replaced in February 1886.
It was not until May 1895 that Robert Seaman
took over; followed by widow(?) Eleanor Elizabeth
for the short period December 1903 to October 1904.
William Paston was landlord from November 1917.
He was in place until May 1937. His widow May Elizabeth
served for even longer - until 30th September 1958.
Research :
The arabian horse in question, better known as
"Godolphin Arabian", was imported by one
Edward Coke around 1729 for racing purposes.
The horse went on to sire many famous champions.
It died in 1754. When Edward died is less certain.
The importer does not seem have been Sir Edward Coke
(1552 - 1634); but a later son of the
Earl of Leicester, at Holkham Hall, Norfolk.
Coke bought the horse in Paris, where it was
earlier owned (as a gift) by King Louis XV.
Coke sold it later to Lord Godolphin - hence the name.
The pub was closed, under the
Compensation Act, on 30th December 1911.
Research :
Also a tailor, Thomas Brett was landlord by 1845.
His widow, Alethea, was in charge by 1856, until October 1872.
Her son (or brother?) Frederick was then in place;
followed by Frederick junior, who served until June 1892.
In 1890 the landlord was also listed as a cowkeeper.
The pub was closed under the Compensation Act in
January 1941 - one of the last 3 pubs to suffer that fate.
Owing the wartime conditions, the decision took
almost two years (from February 1939) to be made.
Landlord William Broom served from April 1908 to closure.
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Research :
The Middleton family had a strange William Middleton was landlord in 1869, Finally, Mark Middleton served from |
This was one of several buildings threatened by the 1938 Slum Clearance Order. Although closed in late-1939 or January 1940, Licence transferred to Duke of Norfolk, |
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Research : Full licence transferred from Railway Stores, The Norwich Society Survey of 1986 suggests As can be seen from the list of closure dates
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Indeed the pub was offered for sale as early as March 1997, by Colin Ward himself. As a smallish pub, it also had several different rooms. So it seems to have been un-Watneyised,
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Research :
Research :
The 1845 Official List
shows no ownership details;
hence confirms the status of Free House.
However, its appearance in the List conflicts with its
(otherwise) recorded status as a beerhouse.