Situated on the corner of St Nicholas Square and St Nicholas St. The Recruiting Sergeant occupied a prominent position, as seen below.
Originally called the Rose & Crown – the age of the pub and when it became the Recruiting Sergeant is unknown. A Rose & Crown was recorded circa 1726, but its whereabouts were unsubstantiated. A report of 1716, stated that a part of the Jewry Wall was uncovered whilst digging a well at the Recruiting Sergeant.
In 1786, vaults and a portion of Roman pavement (plus a Roman coin), were unearthed whilst digging a cellar.
In 1833, John Smalley was victualler. In 1854, the lease was up for sale: ingoing £200, rent £24
In July 1869, George Richardson, a higgler aged fifty-seven, called in the Recruiting Sergeant and had had two glasses of whiskey. He fell asleep, and it proved impossible to either wake him or move him (he was a stout fellow). A surgeon who was called who pronounced Richardson dead. The Inquest verdict recorded that death caused by apoplexy, accelerated by drink.
In September 1877, the Royal Antediluvian Order of the Buffaloes (there’s a title), held a presentation night here at landlord ‘brother’ George Lawrence’s Recruiting Sergeant.
On leaving the pub, Lawrence filed for liquidation – owing over £300. He was by then described as a musician.
Seen here with lamp outside.
Lets hope this area is redeveloped again, doing away with the Holiday Inn (How did we think it was the height of sophistication to stay there?) therefore exposing more of Roman Leicester as a tourist attraction. It needs someone with vision to achieve this dream.
Barry Lount
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