first appearing as a drinking establishment in 1822 under the name 'the green man and boot' this pub was situated on the corner of row 44 which stretches approximately 70 yards to the market place where another pub stood called 'the angel', giving this row the name 'angel row' for many years until the pub closed (now the heart foundation) and the name faded into history.
A name hardly fitting though. just in this short stretch stood another 4 ale houses not including the two above mentioned. an area renown for ill repute, many of the drinking establishments were rough drinking holes for visiting sailors and ruffians, much "dickie dealings" went on down stairs whilst the were "girls" on the upper floors.
it was indeed in this very pub, trading under the name "the city of london tavern" that in 1865 a foul murder occurred. a foreign seaman named Erenshussen was drinking with his crew at around 10pm when the master of the vessel required them to go onboard, Erenshussen refused. It was then Heusman, a comrade endevoured to persuade him to comply upon the former drew his 6 inch blade and plunged it into the heart of Heusman who "instantaneously fell dead".
in 1890 it changed its name to "the talbot wine vaults" and traded underthis (or abbrieviations of it) until it closed in 2005. popular in the 1960's and 70's for its alternative jukebox it continued to attract punks and hippies alike. many a happy memory i have of this odd little pub and its landlords and patrons for many years.
aquired by the borough council conservation section it joined with a group of listed building close by and has been developed into "aspire young persons centre" , a project created to break the cycle of homelessness and create a limb of support for the younger community.
(the pub can still be clearly recognised from the pictures and is situated about 30yards away at n 52 36.503 e001 43.504)
a series that originated in norwich. for anyone interested in expanding the series just match the title "spirits of pubs past - (pub name) . cheers!