Parson's
Green, in times past known as 'Parsonage Green', owed its name
to the parsonage or rectory house which stood midway along the
West side of the green. Reputedly the site of a vineyard in
Roman times, it was by far the most aristocratic quarter of
Fulham and was said to have been inhabited "mostly by Gentry and
Persons of Quality". A coaching inn has existed on the present
site since at least 1688 when the then victualler of 'Ye Olde
White Horse', John Haines, was asked to appear before the local
Court Baron for "setting up posts before his house at Parsons
Greene without leave of ye Lord of the Manor". Haines was fined
six shillings and eight pence and ordered "that he remove them
by the first of April next under the paine of twenty shillings".
The
White Horse was mentioned in the Spectator in August 1712 in
relation to the popular annual Parson's Green Fair at which ale
tapping was an eagerly awaited event: "a tub of excellent Ale
just set abroach" which according to Addison "but this wanted
confirmation". Parson's Green fair was essentially a country
fair. On the west side were the puppet shows, acting booths and
the refreshment stalls. At the top of the Green near the White
Horse were the fish stalls, oysters and whelks always being in
large demand. Competitive games such as hot tea drinking, greasy
pole climbing and treacle bobbing took place alongside the
barbaric practice, which passed for sport, of tying up live
cocks for people to throw sticks at.
In
the early years of the 19th century a noted clown, Billy Button,
used to ride a horse at the fair. After completing its routine
'the intelligent animal would throw its rider oft and bolt for
the stables of the White Horse inn' where it was evidently given
plenty to eat and drink.
One
of the most infamous Landlord's of the White Horse was John
Wright. A tall young customer named Fennell and nicknamed the
Giant had the 'misfortune to incur the displeasure of the host
of the White Horse and was so severely chastised by him that he
died. Thenceforward Wright was known as "Jack, the Giant
Killer."'
In
1835 a 'singular cricket match' was reported in 'The Times "On
Tuesday considerable amusement occurred at Parson's Green,
Fulham, and the vicinity in consequence of a match of cricket
being played between 11 married and 11 single women, the match
was made up for the sum of 10 shillings and a hot supper. At 10
o'clock in the forenoon a tent was erected on the green and soon
afterwards the wickets were pitched. A vast assemblage of
persons congregated to witness the sport, amongst whom were a
number of the most respectable inhabitants: The married women
wore light blue dresses, their waists and heads being decorated
with ribands of the same colour, the single women were attired
in close white dresses, pink sashes and cap bows. The game
commenced about 11 o'clock the married women taking the first
innings, and obtaining 47 runs, the single then commenced play,
and were not so successful, the whole of them being bowled out
for 29 runs. The next two innings were played and the game was
won by the single women, but only by seven runs. After
the match was over, country dances accompanied by a band of
music took place on the green, and in the evening the supper was
provided by the White Horse on the green."
The
White Horse was also the meeting place of the old Fulham Albion
Cricket Club, one of the pioneer cricket clubs in England. The
White Horse was also notable for enjoying by virtue of ancient
tenure a square foot of ground at the North end of the green on
which its sign stood until 1906. On Hurlingham Polo days in 1900
between 70 and 80 carriages would be drawn up outside the White
Horse and around the green.
The
James family took over the freehold of the White Horse in 1882
adding to their portfolio of the City Arms (in the City of
London), the Rising Sun (Battersea) and the Marlborough
(Chelsea). By 1894 the next door tailor shop at No.3 Parson's
Green had been acquired and incorporated into the newly enlarged
and redesigned White Horse. A stained glass window was
commissioned from Spaulls of Chelsea depicting a romanticised
scene of 'Ye Olde White Horse' in Shakespearean times. The
window was blown out in the German bombing of London in the
early 1940's whereupon it was placed in the cellar for the
remainder of the war for safe keeping. Sadly, the window was
sold and removed in the late 1970's although a photograph of it
now hangs near the fireplace.
In
1913 the James family sold the freehold of the White Horse to
Charrington & Co. of Mile End for £13,000 and took a long lease
from them. Charrington & Co. had merged with Bass, Mitchells &
Butlers in 1967 to become Bass Charrington, and it was they who
took over the management of the White Horse on the early
surrender of the lease in 1979. In June 1981 the formidable and
characterful Sally Cruickshank was 'head-hunted' to become the
manageress and Mark Dorber, then on a working vacation from
university, took over the management of the cellar. In April
1995 Sally Cruickshank retired and Mark Dorber and Rupert Reeves
took over as joint licensees. In October 1997 Rupert Reeves left
the White Horse with Mark Dorber staying for another ten
years before leaving to run The Anchor at Walbeswick. The White
Horse is now in the safe hands of Sonia Harris and Dan Fox.
