King's Head Inn, Aylesbury
The King's Head is one of the oldest public houses with a coaching yard in the south of England. It is located in the Market Square, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, and is a Grade II* Listed Building.[1]
The oldest part of the current structure of the building is of 15th-century design[2] and the cellars are much older, dating to the 13th century.[3]
History
The history of The King's Head starts in 1455,[2] with the first documentary reference appearing in a conveyance between William Wandeford, a London wool merchant, and Ralph Verney, a former master of the London Mercer's Company, dated 18 December 1455. It refers to the newly built 'Kyngeshede', as well as a cellar and shop, and cottages.[3] The Great Hall is the oldest standing structure on site, dating back to the 1470s,.
King Henry VI possibly stayed at the inn while on a tour of the country with his new wife Margaret of Anjou in the 15th century.[4] Later, a stained glass panel, previously in the nearby Greyfriars monastery, was inserted in the front window of the inn showing the king and queen's individual coats of arms.[4][5][6]
In the Great Hall wattle and daub timber construction is visible[2]
The National Trust
The property was donated to the National Trust in 1925, a fact commemorated by a plaque at the site.
References
- ↑ Historic England. "The Kings Head Hotel (Grade II*) (1160205)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
- 1 2 3 National Trust Archived 2010-07-06 at the Wayback Machine
- 1 2 Discover The King's Head, Aylesbury: The National Trust King's Head Guidebook 2009
- 1 2 Britain Express
- ↑ British History Online
- ↑ "Aylesbury Vale District Council". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2010.