Venue Type & Location
Overview
Located on the NW corner of High Street and Mercery Lane, the late 14th c. 3-storeyed pilgrimage inn was built on a courtyard plan. It 'accommodated a "dormitory of a hundred beds" as well as chambers, drinking rooms and parlours. to one side lay a garden where herbs for soup and surgery grew and guests took the air...' (Quincy, Town Houses 203).
A few traceried windows, the stone arcade on the ground level, the crown post roof and some of the extensive cellars are extant.
Performance History
Performances by the Prince's players in 1546--7 and the Queen's players in 1608--9 are recorded at the Chequer of Hope Inn.
Current Status
History of the Venue
1392--5 The Chequer of Hope inn built by Christchurch Priory.
1865 Two-thirds of the medieval inn destroyed by a devastating fire but the most of the E side survived.
Record Source
REED Kent: Diocese of Canterbury 1.166, 253
Patrons who owned this venue
[No data found.]
Bibliographic Sources
- Gostling, William. A Walk in and about the City of Canterbury. Canterbury: Simmons and Kirkby, and W. Flackton, 1774
- Lyle, Marjorie. English Heritage Book of Canterbury. London: B.T.Batsford Ltd., 1994
- Quiney, Anthony. Town Houses of Medieval Britain. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003
- Tatton-Brown, Tim. Canterbury: History and Guide. Stroud, Gloucestershire: Alan Sutton Publishing, 1994