The Red Lion
Colchester, Essex, England.
The description accompanying the Grade I listing of this remarkable old building describes it as "an important and richly ornamented example of late C15 and early C16 work." Indeed, it is one of the oldest buildings still in functional use in the historic old town of Colchester.
Originally constructed as a dwelling house for the Howard family around 1470 - probably during the reign of Edward IV - the building was turned into an inn early in the 16th century when it seems to have been known as The White Lion. Its present title dates from the time of James I, largely on account of the red lion on the King's crest.
Its most notable known historic connection is to the Siege of Colchester which lasted for eleven weeks during the summer of 1648. It is said that following its end, Oliver Cromwell convened Parliament in the Moot Hall with a view to putting Royalist agitants on trial. That very Moot Hall is now the hotel's restaurant.
However, its notable history and extraordinary architectural features (including 15th century carved timbers) have been somewhat overshadowed by a connection to the supernatural. In fact, the Red Lion is supposedly haunted by several ghosts including a monk and a young boy. But its most celebrated ethereal resident is undoubtedly Alice Catherine Miller who was "foully done to death" by her lover in 1632; she has reputedly been seen in several bedrooms including numbers 5 and 6.
See the Historic Hotels in Essex index
Originally constructed as a dwelling house for the Howard family around 1470 - probably during the reign of Edward IV - the building was turned into an inn early in the 16th century when it seems to have been known as The White Lion. Its present title dates from the time of James I, largely on account of the red lion on the King's crest.
Its most notable known historic connection is to the Siege of Colchester which lasted for eleven weeks during the summer of 1648. It is said that following its end, Oliver Cromwell convened Parliament in the Moot Hall with a view to putting Royalist agitants on trial. That very Moot Hall is now the hotel's restaurant.
However, its notable history and extraordinary architectural features (including 15th century carved timbers) have been somewhat overshadowed by a connection to the supernatural. In fact, the Red Lion is supposedly haunted by several ghosts including a monk and a young boy. But its most celebrated ethereal resident is undoubtedly Alice Catherine Miller who was "foully done to death" by her lover in 1632; she has reputedly been seen in several bedrooms including numbers 5 and 6.
See the Historic Hotels in Essex index
Online Booking and Reviews for The Red Lion in Colchester, Essex
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Brook Red Lion Hotel
43 High Street Colchester Essex CO1 1DJ Reviews and Booking. Please note that nightsinthepast.com plays no part in the actual review, booking or reservation process for this or any other accommodation. Costs for maintaining and developing Nights in the Past are met solely by it being the last referring site to our partners which results in a completed reservation. |
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