Guildhall Lane was known as Town Hall Lane in the late 19th century as the present Guildhall was once used as the Town Hall. The Hero of Magdala stood on the opposite side to the Town (Guildhall) Hall.
Thomas Sibson seems to be the first landlord of the Hero of Magdala circa 1869, so named after Sir Charles Napier who led the British in Abyssinia in 1868. We are unsure if the beer house existed prior or had a previous name. It may have been the Crown & Thistle as the dates coincide.
Edward Wheeldon was landlord by 1873. His 12-year-old son. Henry, was taking an order of beer to Sarsons’ new warehouse around the corner. He climbed up some scaffolding, but when reaching the 3rd storey he lost his footing, crashed to the ground, fracturing his thigh and injuring his head.
In July 1876, Edward Wheeldon passed the licence to William Burgess. William would entertain the Freeman of the City at the beer house. Quite a few victuallers followed over the next few years after the old town hall (Guildhall) had its duties reallocated to the new building in Town Hall Square.
December 1881, William Burgess to Thomas Carter. 1883, Thomas Carter to William Bellamy. 1886, Harry Page. By October 1887, the Hero of Magdala was up for sale in occupation of Sydney Wells, brewer. Together with unnamed tenant, it was sold together with no. 31 Town Hall Lane, (a seven roomed house next door) for £900.
Within two years the beer house was again up for auction, this time on its own with rear stabling – Mr Collin in occupation. 1889 Alf Allen, then William Gent. In 1890, Gent was fined 10/- for common assault.
Town Hall Lane had been somewhat neglected since the new Town Hall had been erected circa 1876. Complaints were made of the state of some of the buildings. The Hero of Magdala hadn’t been open for its intended purpose for six months during 1892. The licensed was objected to at the Brewster sessions and not renewed. The owner of the Hero of Magdala was Sydney Wells Brewery of Kegworth.
(See Crown & Thistle next file)
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Re: Hero of Magdala in Town Hall Lane. I have a print of a pencil drawing dated dated 1899. The subject is the west window of the church looking down the alley way towards Town Hall lane with the guildhall on the left. It clearly shows a pub at the end of the passageway. The pubs name is painted across the front of the building below the first floor windows. both ends of the title are missing but you can make out ” ING AND CROW” King and Crown? . Perhaps a name change took place at a later date.
Thanks Andy, I think have the same picture, see tomorrows (Fridays) file of King & Crown, there is some confusion of pub names opposite the Guildhall, hopefully when you have seen Hero of Magdala. Crown & Thistle and King and Crown files you can let us know your thoughts as we appreciate feedback, thanks again for your interest. Cheers
Hi Barry,
Wonderful photo’s of the King and Crown…Solves my mystery! The printed drawing I have on my wall is signed by “Harrison” and was taken from “The Architect” magazine.
Keep up the good work!
Andy.