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Norwich Merchants

Sparshall; Cubitt; Brown; Carter; Steward

Head Office : Fye Bridge 1 - 4
2. The Sparshall Era   4. The End Game

1. : Beginnings

The Mischief Tavern was previously a longstanding
Wines & Spirits business (in very commodious
premises) which dates back at least to 1599.

There is a fireplace with a mason's mark of
that date; and the building is mostly 16th Century.
However, some parts (including two archways) are
believed as old as the 13th Century.
There is also a mediaeval window.

It is probable that the Wine Cellar was the
earliest Parish record of the business -

    Thomas Neale (worsted weaver)
    being the licensee in 1763.
Then in 1802, the site was identified as
"Magdalen Street", but (to be precise) -
at the corner of St. Clement's churchyard.
This places it on the Fye Bridge side of the church,
viz. in Fye Bridge Street, as confirmed in the 1811 list.  

2. : The Sparshall Era

The incumbent was then Edward Sparshall,
who had a long and impressive list of all
the goods in which he dealt.
In 1806 Edward Sparshall's premises
were known as the Wine Vaults.

By 1830 the firm was called Sparshall & Cubitt;
the latter being a name associated with the
Two Brewers at the other end of Magdalen Street.
(More than a coincidence? . . .)

 

3. : Cubitts in Charge

By 1839 the occupiers' names were listed as
Cubitt - William & Joseph.
In 1845 the premises were still called
"The Wine Vaults"; under William Cubitt alone.
By 1867 William Jary Cubitt
(most probably a son) was licensee.

From Nov. 1868, Cubitt was joined by
Sydney Lodington Brown;
and in 1875 the firm was trading as Cubitt & Brown.

Meanwhile, by 1873, the ownership of the premises
had transferred to Osborn Springfield of Catton.

From March 1883, Henry Carter had joined :
to make Cubitt, Brown & Carter. Carter then lived in
"Beechbank", Unthank Road; and was the sole licensee.
In 1890 ales and stouts were also specified.  

4. : The End Game

The longstanding partners (except Carter) appear
to have retired by August 1894, making way for
Philip Case Steward.
Hence by 1914 - at the latest - the business was
trading as Carter, Steward & Co.

November 1924 saw Steward running solo, also as
the pub's new owner. Oddly, he was recorded as the
licensee of the Prince of Denmark by 1920,
but only until 6th April of that year.
Perhaps this was some post-WWI emergency?

From April 1926 onwards, the business changed hands
several times; although still using the Carter Steward
trading name.

By 1935 Carter, Steward & Co. were described as the
Family Trade Depot of Young's & Crawshay's brewery.

By 1953 Youngs & Crawshay
had taken over the entire concern.

By 1962 the Wine & Spirits business,
as such, had folded.
The pub continued under a new name in April 1963
(borrowed from a defunct house in Peacock Street)
i.e. Mischief Tavern.
The new landlord was Leslie Reginald Henry Izzard.

It soon became the first home of the Jacquard Folk Club,
using the cellar. See the White Lion, Magdalen Street.
In the 1970s the cellar was home to the
"second generation" of Teddy Boys.

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