The Old Doctor Butlers Head
The last of the Dr Butler's Head taverns.
Location: 2 Masons Avenue, Moorgate, EC2V 5BT
Description: The Old Doctor Butler's Head dates back to 1610 - with the present building dating back to just after the Great Fire of London in 1666.
Physician Dr. William Butler (15351618) was a 17th century self-proclaimed 'specialist' in nervous disorders and his miracle cures. He developed a reputation for being an eccentric, a drunkard, and the great physician of all time (he claimed).
When an unresponsive clergyman was brought to his attention, he sent for a cow, asked for it to be slaughtered and innards removed. He then placed the comatose clergyman inside the 'cowes warm belly' and miraculously the clergyman regained his senses and survived.
Another of his cures would see the client take consultation on London Bridge, and then dropped through a trapdoor into the torrent below.
As a cure for epilepsy, he would fire a brace of pistols near his unsuspecting patient, to scare the condition out of them.
In cases of the plague, he'd plunge the poor souls into cold water, an expensive treatment in spa hotels today!
So highly was he considered, that despite his lack of qualifications he was appointed court physician to King James I.
At a similar time, he developed a medicinal ale for gastric ailments, which was available only from taverns which displayed Dr. Butler's head on their signs. This led to him acquiring a number of ale houses in the capital - of which this pub, the Old Dr. Butler's Head is the last one standing.
Dr Butler's purging ale became rather popular but is not on tap today sadly.
The pub is a Grade II listed building.
|
The last of the Dr Butler's Head taverns. |
Ranking This Month: 1798/3019
Pages Hit This Month: 43
Your Comments:
Other places nearby:
Swap Coffee for Beer Perhaps», 2.6km
Old Queens Head», 1.5km
The Champion», 2.0km
The Blind Beggar», 1.4km
The Crosse Keys», 0.3km
St Andrews Day Boozer», 0.4km
Pub designed by Joseph Paxton», 5.7km
Created by an Almost-Bard», 2.7km
Crocker's Folly», 3.7km
The Porterhouse - Covent Garden», 1.4km
Location Pinpointed:
pinpointing the forgotten and lost history of London
Shady Old Lady »» Car Reviews »» Classic Telly »» Peckish © 2023 The Shady Old Lady, Privacy Policy
