Granted to Leicester Abbey, by William de Langley in 1312, the lease held by William Streth. The sign derived from part of the family coat of arms of the original owners of the site, for which they had won the right to adopt the ‘Saracens Head’ by their action in the Holy wars against the Saracens. (Everards)
In 1797, George Davenport Leicester’s notorious Highwayman was finally arrested in the Saracens Head, when under arrest for poaching fish under the alias of George Freer. Whilst handcuffed to a peace officer, on his journey to jail, the two men called in the Saracens Head, where George’s true identity was revealed by an ex drinking companion. The officer could hardly believe his luck: here ready handcuffed, the most wanted man in the county. Eventually George was hanged for his crimes at Red Hill in Leicester.
The old Saracens was demolished for the widening of Market Place South and new building erected in 1901. but incorporating what had been the site of ‘Stilton House’ roughly where the entrance of the Hotel St Saracens Head. is. J W Wales China shop eventually became front entrance to the Market Tavern, ex-Page’s Wine Lodge, referenced in Market Square. Phil Johnson further writes; that there is some evidence to suggest that the fireplace in the front bar had been retained from the old building, the position of the chimney before and after the road widening goes some way to supporting this. (Phil Johnson)
Original Brass sign from the rebuild.
December 1995, saw a major refurbishment and name change. The centuries old Saracens Head now became Molly O Grady’s, a 1990s phenomenon that swept the country by theming pubs with an Irish flavour. Molly’s was to last longer than most.
Major refit at Mollys, opened as Knight & Garter in August 2017.
