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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 29 Mar 1958
Page 3 Column 4 to 6
TO THE EDITOR
A Postage “Hint” … St. Mary's Appeal Response … King's Arms Inn … Thespians Play … “A Slight Error” … Young Radical and H-Bomb
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The King's Arms, Taunton
SIR, - In Mr. H. J. CHANNON's article on the King's Arms Inn, North Town, in last week's issue he states that it was mentioned in Court Leet minutes for 1635, when the innkeeper was Thomas CARPENTER.
I would point out, however, that the King's Arms of which Thomas CARPENTER was licensee was at that time in Fore-street, Taunton. This is bourne out by an entry in Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1660, which records his name in Fore-street. In his will, dated 1657, mention is made of two freehold messuages on the south side of East-street in which Edward WEBBER sometime dwelt. A life interest to his wife in two leasehold messuages wherein the testator then lived, “heretofore known by the name of the King's Arms and now by the name of the Valient Souldier,” and then also used as a tavern.
Richard CARPENTER, who was taxed for eleven hearths in Fore-street, 1664-5, was then occupier of the Valiant Soldier following the death of his mother – the widow of Thomas CARPENTER.
An undated trade token, bearing the name of Thomas CARPENTER of Taunton and the initials T.A.C., for Thomas and his wife, Alice, also contains the representation of a soldier.
This shows fairly conclusively, I think, that the King's Arms, or Valiant Soldier, of which Thomas CARPENTER was licensee in 1635, was in Fore-street.
The earliest mention of the King's Arms in North Town which I have is in a directory of 1793, when Henry MOCKRIDGE was landlord. Following his death it was carried on by his widow, who transferred it to P. HUTCHINGS in the second decade of the nineteenth century. In 1840 William PRING was licensee and in 1848 William BIDGOOD.
Yours, &c.,
L. E. J. BROOKE.
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