Blog

Newport History: Ye Olde Murenger House

today8 May 2024 40

Background
share close

Just How Old is This Old Pub?

When talking about the oldest pubs in Newport, two pubs will come to mind. The Carpenters and Ye Olde Murenger House. Today, we’re going to be talking about The Murenger. Last week, I told you the story of Tom Toya Lewis and how he ended up getting a pub named after him. The Murenger also has an interesting story about how it got its name.

In Medieval times, a murenger was someone who was responsible for collecting tax that would see the repairing and overall maintenance of the town’s walls. This tax was called a murage. The site where the murenger pub sits now is where the Murenger lived and outside the pub, you can see the pub’s sign which shows a man (most likely the murenger) and in the background a wall (most likely one of the town walls)

But the Murenger was not the first pub to be opened on this site. Although the first recording we have of a building on this site was a house in the 1500s, The Murenger replaced a 17th-century pub, the Fleur de Lys. The original building was demolished in 1816 and the Murenger took its place in 1819. 

 

But as you can imagine, the history of this pub is on the inside. One story I have heard, although I’m not sure I totally believe, it, is that King Henry VIII stayed here after his wedding to Catherine of Aragon.

Upstairs,, the bedroom that is supposedly the one the famous King slept in, is decorated with Henry and Catherines coat of arms, suggesting that they could have indeed stayed in the building. However, its just as likely that someone at some point in time painted it in there without the King ever staying the room. 

But what do you think? Did the King really stay in Newport?

By Adam L Davies

Written by: Kym Frederick

Rate it

Join our VIP club

Free Tickets, Exclusive news, Guest access to special events, and a chance to be part of our team