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A pub with a long history. A plaque near the Maid Marian Way entrances states:
The present house was built c. 1240 on the site of the 13th century Ale House known as 'The Archangel Gabriel Salutes the Virgin Mary.' During the first Civil War 1642-1646 part of the house was used as Recruiting Rooms for both Factions. The original still existing Cave Systems was probably Saxon Farm, latter used for Servants Accommodation and Brewing.
It brewed its own ales in its early days long ago these names were painted on the wall outside.
Nottingham has a network of caves underneath used for various occupations and also housing!
'1240 AD' is displayed on the apex wall but apparently the first building on the site then belonged to a 'tanner' (someone who made animal skins into leather). Their workshops were on the ground floor, with living accommodation above for both the 'tanner' and his workers a true 'cottage' style industry few and far between today!
1440 borough records recorded this date as having a private dwelling on the site, belonging to a man named John Alastre.
1649-1659 Puritans came to power and formed the Commonwealth Government and were not very happy with the religious implications suggested by the 'then' pub sign the Archangel Gabriel saluting the Virgin Mary so the
landlord was ordered to take it down or re-paint it! Not wishing to totally change the sign, nor wanting to lose his license, the then landlord renamed the pub: 'Soldier and Citizen'.
1660 Restoration of the Monarchy the old innkeeper brought back the old name 'Salutation', but let the pub-sign of the 'Soldier and Citizen' remain until it fell apart then the 'greeting graphic' was replaced by picture of a handshake.
1937 Following an investigation by the Thoroton Excavation Society, it was thought that the 9th century caves beneath the pub were lived in by the local Saxon folk - the ghost of a young four year old girl is rumoured to haunt the caves. Five year's ago, the landlord, who now has a pub in Chesterfield Market Place, told me some weird goings on re hauntings of the pub one was concerning his keys disappearing from the bar and then just reappearing after he'd been upstairs to check if he'd left them up thereand no one else was in the building at the timeand he'd not had a drink either! His wife would not go down the deep cellarshe'd only been down there once and refused to go down there again following 'an experience', but she became upset when I asked her to tell me more!
1966 Extensions to the pub led to a wrought iron hand being put up outside, but this was unfortunately stolen on the same night it was put up! (no CCTV in them there day's and I haven't got it honest!).
1992 Nottingham University's Department of Archaeology's tree dating labs put a date of the oldest timber (the inner ring) in the pub as being circa 1360 apparently in those days timber was not left to season so that date is probably an accurate estimate as to when the pub we know today was actually built, and not 1240 as is stated on the apex wall (that was probably the date of the first building on the site!).
1976-1981 regularly frequented by bikers and heavy-rockers. It is still the main Rock pub.
There have been two major refits since the early 70's The latter being the introduction of a second public staircase allowing access to the upstairs bar it's a shame the windows on Houndsgate have been blocked out by the upstairs bar.
Tony Robinson and the Channel Four Time Team programme tried to date all three pubs (the Bell, the Trip to Jerusalem, and the Salutation).
To sum up:
Ye Olde Salutation is an attractive, Grade Two listed building. It is an atmospheric pub has beamed ceilings, flagstone flooring and wood panelling. The present house dates back to 1240 to replace a previous inn on the site. The present building has been trading as a public house since the 15th century. The smaller of the two snugs that flank the entrance passageway is said to have been used by Cromwell''s soldiers as a recruiting room in the Civil War in the 1640''s. There is a network of 9th century caves under the pub including one once used as servant quarters and brewery. There is a resident medieval ghost of a four year old called Rosie! It has a good range of good value real ales and food. Expect Rockers!
