Comments on: Tavern Tokens Of Bishopsgate

By: Jane

Jane — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 15:16:17 +0000

Absolutely remarkable.

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 14:50:18 +0000

Fascinating items.

By: HelenD

HelenD — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 12:06:08 +0000

This is another fascinating article on the history of the area. I never knew such tokens existed. Imagine the excitement upon finding one today!

By: PaulLLoften

PaulLLoften — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 11:19:03 +0000

What a surprise seeing a token for the Black Raven in Bishopsgate. I wonder if it would be site the Black Raven in Bishopsgate that stood almost opposite Dirty Dicks until the redevelopment of the whole area ? . it was then in the early 1970’s, the home of the remaining Teddy Boys left from the 1950’s and it had a reputation that made people steer clear of entering it. However my friends and I found it a great place to start the weekend with a drink. The atmosphere became electric towards closing time with line dancing jive and Teddy Boy stomp, with thumbs in their trouser belts and the girls with beehive hairdo watching their boyfriends perform the complex hop steps with envy . They were not allowed that dance . There was supposed to be no dancing according to the notice but the landlord couldn’t stop it.! Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard blasting from the jukebox and the pub floor throbbing to the stomp. Just to say I was never nor any of my friends ever a Teddy Boy but we found it great to meet up and have a drink there.
You could cast your minds eye back to the 17th century days of a token being handed to the Black Raven’s Sam Salway and imagine the bawdy atmosphere without a Jukebox . But I bet even then it was probably a place that most Londoner’s would probably avoid !

By: Chris Connor

Chris Connor — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 09:51:43 +0000

Fascinating to see items such as these. As you say they bring the past to life in a clearer way. Is the White Hart Bedlam the same White Hart which as been sadly lost to rapacious developers, on the corner of Bishopsgate and Liverpool Street. If so, then the article is entirely appropriate as the site is confined to history.

By: Steve Hanscomb

Steve Hanscomb — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 08:14:59 +0000

Interesting article. I have an inn token that is from a pub in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. It was issued in 1658, as the Civil War had disrupted cash flow badly in the area. Aylesbury was in the front line between Parliament held London and Royalist Oxford and held a Parliament garrison.
My coin has ‘At Ye Kings Head’ on it, with a bust of Henry the Eighth (the pub sign) and ‘Aillsbvry (Aylesbury) 1657′ on the reverse. I bought it as the King’s Head is my local! The pub is owned by the National Trust and retains its’ cobbled courtyard, stables and looks much as it would have during the Civil War. During chimney repair work in the 1920’s, some civil war era pistols and a sword were found.
Dating back to the 1400’s, the pub is well worth a visit, being a five minute walk from Aylesbury station on the Chiltern line from Marylebone. It is also the Chiltern Brewery’s only pub and their beers are all excellent!

By: Jill Wilson

Jill Wilson — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 07:27:52 +0000

Fascinating!