The Hand and Shears, London
Posted on 29. Dec, 2010 by Robert Gale in Pubs
Brief History
According to the book, London by Pub, the building dates from 1849 and was built upon the site of an alehouse which was located within the precincts of St Bartholomew’s Priory. As the priory dates from 1123 there most probably has been an alehouse on the site for some time. The same book goes to mention that an alehouse was “certainly in existence in Tudor times”.
The pub located on the site would have been a meeting place for tailors and cloth merchants especially just before and during the Bartholomew Fair which was held on Cloth Fair every 24th August between 1133 and 1855.
The fair was chartered to be a three day event but at times lasted a full two weeks. The event was started by the Lord Mayor of London who would cut a ceremonial ribbon. This is believed is the origin of cutting a ribbon on special occasions.
Upstairs at the pub, a court of Pie-Powder was held daily during the fair where complaints about debts, contracts and traders selling short measures of cloth were heard. According to descriptions on British History:-
‘it was the lowest and at the same time most expeditious court of justice known to the law of England, and was so called from the dusty feet of the suitors’; or, according to Sir Edward Coke, because justice is there done as speedily as dust can fall from the foot; upon the same principle that justice among the Jews was administered in the gate of the city, that the proceedings might be more speedy as well as public.
By 1855, the fair was ended due to it encouraging debauchery and public disorder.
The Interior
The interior is distinctly Victorian and, unusually, retains its original layout of four cosy rooms including a tiny snug. The woodwork is plain and simple and there is an oval bar that each separate area can access. The floorboards and pannelling are in keeping with the former working man’s pub.
The Beer
Beer from Courage, such as Best and Directors is always available along with one or two guest ales. When I visited earlier in 2010, Adnams Bitter and Wadworth 6X.
Visiting the Pub
Like the majority of pubs in the Smithfield Market area, the pub is only open Monday to Friday.
More Photos of the Hand and Shears
Venue Location
The Hand & Shears
1 Middle St
City of London
EC1A 7JA
Tel: 020 7600 0257
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