Established as a pub in 1549, The Ship Tavern boasts a fascinating history intertwined with mystery, involving English Royalty, the Masons, and the Clergy.
In the bygone era surrounding The Ship in Holborn, the area was notorious for its seedy gambling establishments and various shady, mostly illegal businesses.
The pub likely originated to quench the thirst of farm laborers working in the nearby Lincolns Inn Fields. The fields, a site of 16th-century executions, drew crowds, providing The Ship with increased patronage after each grisly death sentence.
During the 16th Century, The River Fleet, once running through Holborn, brought the murky waters of the Thames closer to the area, likely supporting shipyards or dockyards near the pub. Rumours suggest The Ship’s involvement in smuggling and piracy, explaining its original name, The Ship Tavern.
Over the years, visitors have mistakenly referred to the pub as The Ship Inn or The Ship Pub, but historical consensus affirms its name as The Ship Tavern.
In King Edward the Sixth’s reign, The Ship served as an “underground” church for London’s hidden Catholics. Banned Catholic Priests conducted Mass from the pulpit, cleverly disguised as the bar, while spotters signaled the presence of the King’s officials, prompting a transformation into rowdy pub clientele.
The Ship Tavern’s connections also extend to the secretive society of The Freemasons. Consecrated as a Masonic Lodge in 1736, it remained a meeting house for the local chapter of the clandestine order.
Throughout the centuries, notable figures frequented The Ship, adding to its storied past. Don’t miss the history board near the front entrance, chronicling the intriguing tales that have unfolded within these walls.