1846 Jonathan Wilson victular of unnamed beerhouse in Burgess St,
In 1849, directory listed as Lord of the Lake, William Thirlby victualer.
The 1860s, became a turbulent year for Lord Lake as it was now known. In 1864, one Sam Ward attempted suicide in the beerhouse by buying some laudanum, going into the Lord Lake, sitting down, taking the laudanum until he fell insensible. He was taken to the infirmary where he eventually recovered.
The beerhouse under Andrew Holder was fined for opening illegal hours.
In 1867, Thomas Patterson, who was brewing at the Lord Lake, fell and broke his leg at the entrance to the brewhouse.
In August of 1867, John McCarty, a prisoner in Leicester Goal who was serving seven years penal servitude, escaped the prison. The gaol was undergoing extension at the time and part of a wall was left demolished, by which means McCarty effected his escape. He made his way to the Lord Lake to ask directions to the canal, where he was later spotted by boatman near Blaby. The police, in hot pursuit, followed him to Kilby Bridge and Fleckney where they seemingly lost him near Saddington. One constable jumped a dyke to see if he was able to get a track of McCarty and landed smack on top of the prisoner – a couple of feet either way and McCarty would have got away. He was transported back to Leicester.
James Baddams became licensee. He fell foul of the law three or four times for opening in illegal hours, so much so his licence was objected to in 1871, and in 1872 refused altogether.
On the 9th of March 1873, an application was made to the courts for a spirit license for the Lord Luke the premises were described as a private dwelling, ex beer house.
Unless there was a genuine change of name, it is more than likely a press misprint. The application was refused.
(See Chris Pyrah’s comment below)
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General Gerard Lake, 1st Viscount Lake was a British general. He commanded British forces during the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and later served as Commander-in-Chief of the military in British India.
My wife is a descendant of james baddams and his wife Louisa (Kinzett). We recently visited the area as is steeped in both our familys history. There area has all but gone now.