The Talbot Inn, Rugeley

[Heartland]

This now demolished Inn, gained a certain notoriety concerning the inquest into the death of Christina Collins.

 

i have always been concerned about the fictional accounts of her death. According to published accounts Chritina was found floating in the canal not far from Bellamour wharf and was discovered by a boatman who alerted the wharfinger, who happened to be passing to inspect repair work near Brindley Bank Aqueduct.

 

The story of the body being carried up the "Bloody Steps" is one that does not seem true, and as there are two versions for the steps location, it is even more confusing. The IWA did uncover some old sandstone steps at Bridge 68 the story has been perpetuated because of it. The Newspapers accounts state the body was carried on a hurdle to the Talbot by four men the most sensible route would be to follow the towpath to Church Bridge (bridge 67) turn onto the road and onto the Talbot as is shown in the map attached.

   

[Heartland]

I attach an engraving of the Talbot Inn for reference.

 

 

[jeanb]

Is this pub The Shrew in Rugeley? Has it been demolished?

[Heartland]

The caption of the image stated it was the Talbot Inn at Rugeley

[JamesWoolcock]

One and the same and not demolished. It is in Marker Street.

Apparently it was at some time renamed, perhaps as the arms of the Earls of Shrewsbury and Talbot whose mid Staffordshire seat was nearby Ingestre Hall would be one and the same too.

[jeanb]

7 hours ago, JamesWoolcock said:

One and the same and not demolished. It is in Marker Street.

Apparently it was at some time renamed, perhaps as the arms of the Earls of Shrewsbury and Talbot whose mid Staffordshire seat was nearby Ingestre Hall would be one and the same too.

Thank you James

[Heartland]

Newspaper records indicate that it was named at one time the Talbot Arms Inn.

 

However the Shrew is shown by google maps to be in a different place. It has a poor rating for beer, it would appear. The map shown above places the Talbot Inn at the crossroads and with  Station Road heading to Rugeley Trent Valley Station as the road passing the Church.

 

In 1839, there was no Trent Valley Railway. That line was opened later. 

[JamesWoolcock]

Indeed

I was referring to the picture that you posted.

[Heartland]

OK so that is not the Talbot, it would seem

[Heartland]

But then this engraving is dated 1856 and appeared in the Illustrated London News for 1856. The reason for the engraving was to record the trial of William Palmer, the Rugeley Poisoner. It has been recorded that the inquest of Mrs Collins and the trial of William Palmer took place at the Talbot. The naming on the ordnance survey of the Inn should be enough to suggest that was the Talbot. The PH in Market Street was evidently a different location. 

[jeanb]

We haven't been to Rugeley for a couple of years, however we noticed that The Shrew is in a building called The Talbot. FWIW if we pass by later we may post a photo presuming it's still in situ.