The Wat Tyler Pub – The Story Behind it

The Dartford Wat Tyler Pub

The Dartford Wat Tyler Pub is a historical pub and inn located in Dartford’s town centre, at the intersection of High Street, Market Street and Bullance Lane.

The pub serves a full selection of draught beers, wines and spirits as well as soft drinks for non drinkers or drivers.

In addition, for those who wish to stay a night or two, there are 5 rooms available for hire. There is also disabled access to the pub, and quiz nights that are held occasionally.

The pub is named after Wat Tyler ( Walter Tyler) leader of the English Peasant’s Revolt of 1831, who led a group of rebels marching from Canterbury to the capital to oppose the institution of a poll tax and demand economic and social reforms.

Related Historical Incident

In fact, Tyler is said to have stopped on his way to London at the site where the pub is today, and where an ancient tavern stood. So, the sign on the side of the pub stands as a remembrance of that day, stating that Tyler and some of the commons stopped at the tavern to “quench their thirst with flagons of ale.”

Tyler had also led a mixed group of people which included peasants, craftsmen and tradesmen. They entered the city of London at the head of a rabble of over 50,000 souls.

So, after crossing London Bridge without any resistance, the rebels gained entry to the Tower of London and captured Simon Sudbury, the unpopular Archbishop of Canterbury and beheaded him and several of his followers.

Wat Tyler then decided to ride to meet the King alone and parlay with him but the unarmed leader was suddenly attacked without warning and killed by the Lord Mayor of London, Sir William Walworth, and John Cavendish, a member of the King’s group.

This unprovoked betrayal of the truce flag and Tyler’s death threw the rabble into a panic. Not being organised as a military force, they broke ranks and fled for their lives.

There are more interesting stories about Dartford listed on the Affordable Dartford Plumbing Company website homepage.

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