The Definitive Guide to the History of
Pubs and Beerhouses in Coventry

Drinking in an Old English Town

George the Fourth, 16 Fleet Street

These premises have been known by different names during their history:	FROM	TO	NAME
	1606	1716	George Inn
	1720	c1835	George I
	c1835	1964	King George the Fourth
	c1835	1964	George IV
	c1835	1964	George the Fourth
It is somewhat surprising that a number of pubs have been named after this king. When George III died his son the Prince Regent ascended to the throne as George IV (1762 - 1830). He was a 'dedicated follower of fashion' and exuded both charm and culture, so he earned the title 'the first gentleman of England'. However, he was not a particularly popular monarch, and did not provide leadership for his subjects. 'His ministers found his behaviour selfish, unreliable and irresponsible'. George IV ruled from 1820 to 1830. Although the sign read "GEORGE THE FOURTH", directories often listed this pub as GEORGE IV. This pub was previously the GEORGE I, and it appeared to change name as one George succeeded the other. It was owned by John Stowe until his death c1843. In 1846 the trustees of his will sold it to W. C. Howell for £970, who then sold it to John Stowe II for £600 (quite a loss!). He sold to C. Handley, who later sold to S. J. Chew for £450, so the price was still dropping! On his death, the pub was left to Miss Sarah Chew, who married W. Earp Reeve. In 1878 Reeve sold it to H. Tomlinson for £1,400. In 1929 the pub advertised, 'for everything of the best'. In 1955 it was declared that the pub would have to be removed to make way for the new Precinct. However, demolition didn't begin until 27th January 1964, and took over two weeks to complete.
LICENSEES: 1828 - 1829 Ralph Langshaw 1835 - 1841 John Rowe 1843 - 1851 William Charles Howell 1861 Stephen J. Chew 1865 Michael Hall 1865 - 1868 Mrs Sarah Chew 1871 Selina Hall 1874 Henry Hall 1879 Joseph Hitchins 1881 - 1893 Jane Hitchins 1894 - 1896 W. Franklin 1903 - 1909 Paul Fanny 1911 - 1912 Mrs Paul ? 1912 - 1913 F. M. Paul 1919 - 1922 Oliver Paul 1924 L. C. Jackson 1926 - 1927 G. H. Lowe 1929 F. L. Pinder 1931 - 1932 J. Hartley 1933 - 1936 F. G. Crabtree 1937 William Henry Southall 1937 George Henry Harding 1939 - 1940 B. J. Hetherington 1955 - 1957 James Alfred Preston 1960 - 1964 Bernard Morrissey
OWNERS: to c1843 John Rowe 1846 W. C. Howell John Stowe II C. Handley S. J. Chew Sarah Chew W. Earp Reeve & Sarah Chew H. Tomlinson