The Castle
A large house situated just north of here came to be known by locals as The Castle because of its turreted walls. Its use is uncertain but it is quite likely that it had associations with the organisers of the various animal fighting spectacles which were popular in the area. Bear and bull baiting, cock and dog fighting all took their turn as top-of-the-bill entertainment.
Between 1658 and 1734 it was known as "The Kings Head".
Preparation for the building of the first Blackfriars Bridge commenced in 1762. Although the house did not obstruct the work, the large area required for the storing of construction material meant that the house needed to be demolished.
The Castle went through a series of ownership's and in 1764 Henry Thrale, purchased the property. By this time a great many buildings had sprung up in the vicinity and the inn had been transformed from a place of ill repute to a plain and simple ale house. What Henry Thrale did with the inn is unclear but six years after his purchase it was reported to be in a ruinous condition and the building was pulled down. The lease of the land was offered to William Allen on the condition that he put it to sober use and erect substantial houses or similar buildings on the site. On the death of Henry Thrale on 4 April 1781 the Anchor Brewery and associated buildings, of which The Castle site was part, were sold by auction to David Barclay and his partner John Perkins for £135,000 (£13,500,000 or $22,500,000 today).
The Castle Inn also stood on the site of the Yard in the mid-17th century. At that time it was in the hands of John Eierby who operated one of the Southwark 'Stewhouses', more commonly known to us as a brothel. John Stow is quite informative on these establishments and says that 'These allowed stew-houses had signs on their fronts, towards the Thames, not hanged out, but painted on the walls'. This would seem to indicate that the usual access was by ferry. Running a 'stew' was no casual affair; as early as 1162 a list of rigorous rules were laid down by an Act of Parliament:
“That no stew-holder or his wife should let or stay any single woman, to go and come freely at all times when they listed.
No stew-holder to keep any woman to board, but she to board abroad at her pleasure.
To take no more for the woman's chamber in the week than fourteen pence (7p).
Not to keep open his doors upon the holidays.
Not to keep any single woman in his house on the holidays, but the bailiff to see them voided out of the lordship.
No single woman to be kept against her will that would leave her sin.
No stew-holder to receive any woman of religion, or any man's wife.
No single woman to take money to lie with any man, but she lie with him all night till the morrow.
No man to be drawn or enticed into any stew-house.
The constables, bailiff, and others, every week to search every stew-house.
No stew-holder to keep any woman that hath the perilous infirmity of burning, not to sell bread, ale flesh, fish, wood coal, or any victuals, etc.'
Anyone caught flaunting these rules was severely dealt with by 'great pain and punishment”
