Photo above: Standing almost right next to the Earl of Stamford.
A pub since at least 1812, and in the shadow of the railway bridge, the Crown & Thistle shook every time a train passed over. The noise and soot from the trains must have been unbearable at times.
1817 John Clifton licensee, Elizabeth Clifton took over on husband Johns death 1823. Wm Overton 1827,
Circa 1981 as the bridge was taken down.
The Crown & Thistle didn’t close until circa 1970, then it became retail used by heating engineer firm in its later days.
Boarded up and ready for demolition in 1996. The Pub sign bracket – still on the façade – was rescued for posterity.
Among its many licensees were Halford Horatio Heich, who kept the pub from February 1872 to October 1873 (see below). In 1867, Edward Dayman who purchased the pub 1864 applied to re-erect the Crown & Thistle, which suggested it had been pulled down. This was approved as long as he set it slightly on an angle. Dayman agreed and was paid £40 compensation.
The Bowstring Bridge was erected in the 1890s. Edward Dayman was still there in 1877, as he provided a refreshment tent for the North Leicester Flower Show which was held in the grounds behind the Crown & Thistle and Earl Stamford. The organisers declared that ‘Children attending the workhouse school & the imbeciles in the Union were gratuitously admitted to the show.’
Edward sold the pub to William Goddard in 1881. (Newspaper report but no mention in licensing register) Charles Pilgrim licensee 1882, John Draycot 1883, Wm Needham 1886. Edward Dayman again on 1st October, although he is listed as brewer. Joseph Gibbs also listed the same day 1st October 1888.
Thomas Jesson? 1889 Thomas Leary licensee c1890. Leary & Sons now purchased the Crown & Thistle. Wm John Woods 1894. Wm Shaw 1897. John Crawford 1910. John Wright 1913 John Ignatius Cunningham 1915. , Herbert Mc Gowan 1916. George Grey 1917. A later landlord during the 1920s was Charles Rosevear, who played centre forward for Leicester Fosse circa 1900. He kept the pub for many years. Reported to have pulled his last pint aged 80. Charles recorded as the first ever substitute when he came on for an injured player c1901 (Fox’s & Fossils) Charles was also known as a club singer as the below newspaper reports of 1905-7 shows
1939 Outbreak of World War 2 Black outs were to be observed throughout the city, Constables were relentless in pursuing offenders, Charles successfully defended his prosecution (above)
1958 Gerald Bonner,(deceased) 1962 Eva Bonner, Eva was in trouble 1965 for receiving stolen pork from next doors butcher -Charles Lee- The pork was thrown over the wall into the pub yard, Eva Bonner passed it on to her brother who sold it on. Eva was fined £50. Eva left the pub not long after. 1965 Cecil Hathaway took over.
Feb 1969 The Crown & Thistle is closed.”fittings generally dirty and in a bad state of repair” see full report above.
Extracts below from Drink & Damnation by Lount and Spur.
See comment below
(Leicester Chronicle Sept 1949 above and BBC Radio Leicester History below) Of the rail crash from Northgate St Bridge in Sept 1949 that came crashing down in Tommy Wadsworths yard close to the Crown and Thistle.
I remember my parents talking about Rosevier’s in the 50s and a train that derailed on the bridge ending up overhanging the yard of the pub
Thanks Chris, I had forgotten about that incident, there are photo’s somewhere of the train hanging over the garden, will try to trace them, thanks again
Does anyone know where Halford Horatio Heich died and is buried? I am partbof a major project to locate the graves of Veterans of the American Civil Wart in the UK, of which there are a surprisingly large number.
Hello Barry and Christopher. Charles Rosevear was my son’s great-great-great-grandfather, so it was lovely to find this page, and to hear about the pub.
In case it helps the history: Charles died in March 1961, aged 82, and the Leicester Mercury obituary says he pulled pints until 82 and played for the old Fosse!
Barry, if you ever track down the photos of the train hanging over the pub yard, or any pictures of Charles behind the bar, the family would love to see them. Thank you for all the work on this site.