Robin Hood (Southampton) (2)

From International Robin Hood Bibliography
Locality
Coordinate Near 50.9, -1.404737
Adm. div. Hampshire
Vicinity Present Castle Way or West Street, formerly French Street
Type Public house
Interest Robin Hood name
Status Defunct
First Record 1775
A.k.a. Robin Hood Inn
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Approximate indication of the site of the Robin Hood.
The present Castle Way, at or near which the Robin Hood was located / Google Earth Street View.

By Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2022-05-04. Revised by Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2022-05-08.

A pub named the Robin Hood at 12 French Street in Southampton existed from 1775 or earlier to 1855 or later.

There is now no 12 French Street. At present, this street extends north from Town Quay to about the Medieval Merchant's House on the corner of French Street and Vyse Lane. On a 6" O.S. map of Southampton published in 1871, the stretch of the present Castle Way extending from there to St Michael's Church appears also to be part of French Street, while the stretch of the present Castle Way extending north from the church to the present West Street was evidently considered part of the latter. The 1898 revision of the map has French Street from Town Quay to somewhere near the church so labelled, while the present Castle Way north of there and the present West Street are not named. After WWII, French Street was renumbered and part of it renamed 'Castle Way'.[1] In modern terms, the site of the Robin Hood is probably on 'Castle Way', possibly on West Street.

The earliest record of the pub known to IRHB is found in The Hampshire Chronicle (17 Apr. 1775).[2] An 1805 local guide book lists transport and haulage fares from the pub to various locations.[3] A Southampton businessman named Robert Heather who died in 1820 was the owner of a gin distillery in French Street, part of a spirit import firm, a brewery and 'at least three inns: the Mitre, the Robin Hood and the Fish and Kettle'. He also owned various plots of land, including one in French Street. In view of this, the Robin Hood in question was more likely that in French Street than that in Sholing,[4] which, it should also be noted, is not in evidence before 1871. The publican in 1843 was Jeremiah Viney;[5] in 1853[6] and 1855[7] James Hurdle.

According to The Southampton Herald for 3 June 1837, 'Mr J Woolfe, of Portsea whose vocal abilities, inexhaustible [...] budget of songs, and whose private worth, are well known, will give an entertainment on Wednesday evening next, at the Robin Hood Inn, French Street Southampton. No formal charge will be made and we can ensure [...] all visitors a pleasant evening's entertainment'.[8]

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