According to Alison Taylor, Cambridge The Hidden History p. 122:
The earliest building [in the Water Street area] is the Green Dragon, built in the 16th century but probably serving traders at the fair from much earlier. Edward Ward’s pamphlet about Sturbridge Fair published in 1700, mentions ‘the Black Bull, where the Country Chapmen generally lodge that come to the Fair, for the sake of rare strong humming Ale, for which ’tis famous; over which they get Drunk, Quarrel, and make Bargains.
Royal Commission Survey of Cambridge 1959: range of four tenements, the ‘Green Dragon’ inn, Nos. 7, 9, 11 Water Street ….. has plastered timber-framed walls and tile-covered roofs. It was built in the 16th century, with two wings on the back; additions have since been made beside and on the ends of the wings. The building is of note as a timber-framed range of the 16th century.
1851:
William Essex, publican
1861:
Ephraim Mansfield, publican
1869: Alfred Carter (Post Office Directory)
1871:
Ephraim Mansfield
1879: Jacob Holmes (Kellys)
1881:
Jacob Holmes
1883: J Holmes (Kellys)
1891:
George Hall
1892: Geo Hall (Kellys)
1896: Walter Chappell Rayner (Kellys)
1901: (16)
John Fordham
1904: John Fordham (Kellys)
1913: (16) J Fordham (Cambridge Directory)
1916: John Fordham (Kellys)
1939: (5)
Walter Shelley, b 1883, licensed victualler
Hetty, b 1884
1963: Green Dragon
The following are postcards of ‘The Green Dragon’ supplied by J H Baker:
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