Page:The George Inn, Southwark.djvu/53

 2 A more exhaustive account of the Inn's history, appears in that comprehensive and authoritative work, "The Inns of Old Southwark and their Associations," by William Rendle, F.R.C.S. and Philip Norman, F.S.A., published in 1888. The valuable data of George Corner's paper is contained in it, but very much elaborated with fresh matter added. We quote it in full, with the permission of Mr. Norman:—

"The George" is one of the "fair inns" noted by Stow in 1598. The exact date of its erection has not been found out. The sign was one of the old ecclesiastical ones, St. George in 1554; "St. George that swinged the Dragon, and sits on horseback at mine hostess' door." On account, probably, of the changed feeling with regard to these saints, the sign became plain George. The owner in 1558 was Humfrey Colet, or Collet, Member of Parliament for Southwark in 1553. In his will he states that he wishes to be buried in the new churchyard (St. Saviour's), by his uncle, Thomas Bulley; and that he owns the George, now in the tenure of Nicholas Martin, Hosteler, 1634. A return is made by the Warden to the Earl of Arundel, that the George Inn, or tenements within it, was built of brick and timber in 1622. The landlord is presented in 1634, and doubtless often besides on other occasions, because he allowed drinking during Divine service. 1637 Taylor, the Water Poet, tells us of the carriers who came from various parts of Surrey and Sussex to lodge at the George.

In 1656, some angry poetaster had been served with bad sack at the George, and thus he vents his wrath:— "The Devil would abhorre such posset-drink. Bacchus, I'm sure, detests it; 'tis too bad For Hereticks; a Friar would be mad