February 1995

Built 1609 as a merchants house.

Sign showing the Duke of Cumberland after 1745.
Followed by the Duke of Clarence.
Later the Duke of Wellington.

William Blunderfield advised 8th June 1767 that he had removed from the SHIP TAVERN and had taken the DUKE'S HEAD, opposite the Bridge.

For Sale by Auction Wednesday 24th March 1784.
Consisting of two Parlours, a large Dining Room, a Chamber, several Lodging Rooms in front, divers other Bed Chambers, Billiard room, Kitchen, Wash House, five large Cellars, four Stables and other convenient Offices, in occupation of the Proprietor, Mrs, Hedgeman who is to retire.

William Eldridge announced to his Friends and the Public that he had taken the Inn, May 1784. He offered a stock of neat Wines, Brandy, Rum, &c. along with Good Stabling and a complete Billiard Table.

Mr. Charles Delves informed the Inhabitants of Yarmouth and the Public that he had taken and entered upon the Inn, 22nd October 1831.

On 28th April 1832 Charles Delves thanked his numerous Friends for the support they had shown him since he had taken the Inn.

To be Sold by Auction Wednesday, 27th October, 1841.
Comprising 2 front and 2 back parlours, 3 upper rooms, which open to form a large dining or public room, 45 ft by 18 ft, 15 bed rooms, bar, kitchen, back kitchen, larder, dry cellars under the whole house, wine cellars groined, and celebrated for maturing and keeping wines, a large range of stabling, divided into loose boxes, two-stall, six-stall, and 2 tea-stall stables, with hay and corn chambers over; good rain and spring water pumps.......
Possession at Christmas.

For Sale by Auction Wednesday 18th September 1850. A Freehold Inn with a cut flint front and newly built Tap.
The Inn including Bar and Bar Parlour and a very excellent Coffee Room. The Spirit Shop containing one of the most elaborately carved solid oak chimney pieces extant. Spacious and Capital Cellars beneath capable of holding 40 barrels of beer, 500 dozen of wine and 800 gallons of spirits.
In the Yard are two seven-stall Stables and Loose Boxes, a three-stall Stable and pony Stable. Coach and Gig-houses, Pig and Fowl houses, harness and shoe houses and a water closet. All approached from the Quay by a lofty arched carriageway nine feet wide and well supplied with water from a pump in the yard.
The Tap, newly erected with kitchen and cellar, two large Porter Rooms, Club Room, Bar and Bar Parlour; also three Sleeping-rooms. Approached from the yard and the paved row.
The annual trade was about 500 barrels of Ale and Porter, 900 gallons of Spirits and 100 dozens of Wine.

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Lot No. 41 in the sale of the Geldeston Brewery Wednesday 1st April 1858.
Purchased by Cobbold for £20. (Subject to a mortgage of £1,200 and an annuity of £90)

Commencing Monday 8th October 1860, the valuable Household Furniture and a Stock of Wines was to be Sold by Auction since Mr. Plumb was to retire from business.
Included in the sale were:-
200 dozen of vintage Old Port Wine of 1840, 1842, 1850 and 1851.
24 dozen of Fine Old Sherry.
3 dozen of Lisbon.
2 dozen of Quarts and 2 dozen pints of superior Claret, Hock, Bucellas and Champagne.
40 gallons of Brown and 25 gallons of Pale Old French Brandy.
160 gallons of Pine Apple Rum.
20 gallons of Cordials.
28 dozen of Hollands,
12 dozen of Pale Brandy, vintages 1848 and 1850.
3½ dozen of Cherry Brandy, Irish and Scotch Whiskeys, Old Tom Gin, &c.
Day one of the sale would be Horses, Carriages, Harness, Wines and Spirits, &c.
Day two - Glass, Measures, Cooking Utensils, Kitchen Furniture, &c.
Day three - Furniture, Fixtures, &c.

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In Court at Yarmouth Thursday 16th May 1863 it was heard that James Plumb had supplied two bottles of port value 5s each, to a Mr. Hertz in 1857. Hertz had also hired a horse for 6s 6d. Since Mr. Plumb had left the Dukes Head, the sum of 16s 6d was still outstanding. Unfortunately for Mr. Plumb there was no entry in the day-book for the two bottles so only the horse hire was ordered to be  paid.
In the same Court, James Plumb sought to recover £3 3s which his previous landlord had charged him for storage of goods. Mr. Plumb had given up occupancy of a saw-mill on 26th December 1860 and asked to temporarily store goods there until he had access to his new premises. Bad weather had delayed movement in the two weeks agreed and he asked for a few days more, which were granted. Upon going to remove the goods on 21st February 1861, he was told he could only take them by paying £3 3s which he did with reluctance, since he thought he had settled all debts on the 20th February. His Honour thought that since no notice had been given regarding payment for storage, judgement must be given in favour of Mr. Plumb.

On Saturday 15th August 1863, at the conclusion of the Petty Sessions, magistrate Mr. Brightwen complained to his brother magistrates of the annoyance caused to him by the way the Tap of the Dukes Head was conducted. The place was immediately opposite his private door. He had complained to the landlord, Mr. Mayhew, but the nuisance continued.
The police said that the house had been under surveillance for some time, but the noise was not of a character with which they could interfere. The Mayor suggested that Sergeant Allies should call on Mr. Mayhew and advise him of the public complaint, and hoped that sufficient action would be taken.
The matter was then dropped.

Mr.Mayhew provided an excellent and sumptuous repast for the East Norfolk Coursing meeting, held here on the night of Wednesday 8th May 1867.

All the household Furniture, china, Cut Glass, Bedding, plated Objects Linen, a full-sized Billiard Table by Thurston, a few oil Paintings and other effects were to be Sold by Auction, Thursday 24th and Friday 25th June 1869.
On Wednesday, 30th June 1869 100 dozen Choice Wines, late the property of Mr. John Mayhew were to be Sold by Auction. Included were Ports of vintage 1847 and 1851, some fine old Sherries, Champagne and Hock, also bottled Ales.

B. J. Foulsham applied for a music and dancing licence on Thursday 23rd April 1891 - Granted.