Licensing records in the Poole Borough Archive give an insight into the history of entertainment and leisure in Poole.
Newly catalogued licensing documents in the Poole Borough are an excellent source for pub history and provide an insight into what kept Poole’s population entertained over the last few hundred years.
Historic Poole pubs
Lists of Poole’s pubs, along with their locations and the names of their landlords, exist from 1786 onwards. They include a number of historic alehouses still in existence today, including the Portsmouth Hoy, the Old Antelope and the Poole Arms, along with a host of forgotten gems including the ‘Air Balloon’ and the ‘Red Cow’.
From 1552, landlords had to acquire a licence in order to run a pub, formally agreeing to keep good order or else pay a fine. In the early 1800s, this was often £20 – around £650 in today’s money!
‘The Condition of this Recognizance is such that if the above bounden Peter Clen do and shall keep good order and Rule in his House known by the Name of the Jolly Sailor in Poole……and do not suffer any drunkenness, gaming or other disorder to be continued….then this Recognizance to be void else to remain in full force’ [8 Jul 1804, reference: DC-PL/C/B/4/1/63]
Even occasional transgressions were punished. In 1827, William Beckingham, landlord of ‘The Air Balloon’ was fined 20s and 5s costs for ‘suffering persons to remain drinking and tippling…in his house…during the Hours of divine Service on Sunday the 15 July’. In 1835, John Chisman was fined 40 shillings for selling ‘one pint of beer after the hour of ten of the clock’.
The Play’s the Thing…
Theatre and performance was also an important way of passing the time and Poole’s town accounts make numerous mentions of visiting companies of players.
Licences also had to be acquired in order to perform these theatrical entertainments. Certain companies would entertain Poole’s populace again and again – Sarah Shatford, Mistress of a company of comedians, applied for a licence five times between 1808-1815; while Thomas Acton Chaplin’s company visited Poole several times between 1818 and 1833.
However, not everyone was a fan. Sections of Poole’s population were passionately opposed to the licensing of theatres. In September 1831, a strongly-worded petition was sent to the Mayor and Justices of Poole. Signed by many of Poole’s prominent citizens, this fantastic document gives an insight into a view of theatre and popular culture rather different to our own!
‘We the undersigned inhabitants of Poole and its vicinity, beg leave most respectfully to solicit your serious attention to the evils that may arise from Theatrical amusements during the ensuing Winter. Apart from the demoralizing tendency of Farcical exhibitions, We feel convinced that the Theatre forms a dangerous rallying point for the idle and the vicious. It is there that they congregate and contaminate each other; the hours at which the Theatre usually closes are late, and the conduct of those who frequent it is not, at all times the most orderly. These circumstances, coupled with the noise and violence which have so long disgraced our streets, leave us much reason for fear, that such irregularities will be greatly increased by a licensed Theatre’ [reference: DC-PL/C/B/4/2/12]
Sources and further research
Licensing documents including lists of pubs and landlords, aleseller’s recognizances and theatrical licences, 1585-1879, have been catalogued under the reference DC-PL/C/B/4/1-2.
Title deeds for a number of Poole’s pubs can now be found in our catalogue, including deeds for the Angel Inn, Market Street [DC-PL/K/1/1/M1/7] and the Three Mariners, Market Street [DC-PL/K/1/1/M1/9a-b]
How can I gain access/view this archive on line please – DC-PL/C/B/4/1-2.
Hi John, thanks for getting in touch. Unfortunately those items have not been digitised and are not available to view online – please send us an email (archives@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk) to request a quote for the copy work and one of the team will get back to you.