| The White Hart Inn, which is possibly also alluded to in No. 389, was one of the most important of old Southwark inns. As Dr Rendle tells us it is embalmed in English history and in the pages of Shakespeare. It was Jack Cade's headquarters when he dominated London in 1450, and is the subject of constant reference in the "Paston Letters." It was a few steps from the White Hart, we learn, that the celebrated conference took place between Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester, and Cade, which ended in the dispersal of the riot. The inn is mentioned in 1529 as the place of meeting between Thomas Cromwell, and an anonymous person, "one R.," who desired to see him. In 1637 it comes into prominent notice in connection with the Southwark riots and rising against Laud. In 1676 it was burnt down, but speedily rebuilt. Charles Dickens has immortalized it in "Pickwick," and Mr Waller refers to it in the "Gentleman's Magazine" of April, 1855. In July, 1889, the last remains of this historical old inn were levelled to the ground. |
