GEORGE & DRAGON, MANSFIELD STREET

Only reference thus known is of George or Joseph Frith who kept the beerhouse, circa 1830s – 40s.

In 1839, Frith was charged with assaulting William Bennett. A few disorderly persons came out of the George & Dragon, jumped on a cart that was standing outside and abused the owner, an old man. William Bennett complained to Frith of their behaviour, but Frith insulted him before attacking him and some of the others joined in the assault, Frith was fined 5/- or fourteen days.  That wasn’t all, however, as when PC Rhodes came to apprehend Frith, Frith refused to be handcuffed and attacked the PC about the head and body.  For this he was fined a further 15/6 or three weeks in the house of correction.

A year later Frith was fined £2 for having persons drinking in his house during divine service. Twelve men (‘not of respectable character’), were found drinking in there at mid-day on a Sunday.

Leicester at this time has been described as a lawless, crime ridden town. The Leicester Corporation only decided to create the town’s first police force in 1836 to combat the burglaries, robberies, street crime and brawls.  Little respect was given to the early PCs by those who had run amok prior to this. 

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