Bull’s Head

The photograph below shows the horses standing in front of the Nag’s Head (now the Swan Inn)

whilst the rear part of the cart stands in front of the site of the Bull’s Head

The first known record of the Bull’s Head was in 1813  at which time the landlord was William Spencer.  He was still recorded as the landlord in the 1841 census.
That census showed William, aged 60 years (victualer), Elizabeth, 65 years (wife), William,  25 years(son) with no recorded employment.

This is recorded on a gravestone in St Peter’s (Mountsorrel) churchyard:
“In Affectionate remembrance of WILLIAM SPENCER who departed this life April 26th 1842 aged 66 years. ELIZABETH wife of WILLIAM SPENCER who died April 6th 1842 aged 70 years. Also WILLIAM son of the above who died April 16th 1842 aged 30 years. It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good. 1st Sam’l 30 chap. 18 ver.”
All died in April 1842

Leicester Chronicle – Saturday 23 April 1842
Mountsorrel— A plumber and glazier at this place, named William Spencer, aged about thirty who had been labouring under a depression of spirit for some time past, put an end to his existence in a most determined manner. His mother, who had died in the County Lunatic Asylum, was buried at Mountsorrel the week previous to the 7th inst. and his melancholy had increased from that time. On that day, Mr. Hatherlev, surgeon (who had directed all sharp instruments to be put out of his way) was sent for by Spencer’s sister, as he had wounded himself; and on hurrying to him, he was found in bed bleeding from a transverse incision in his throat, a razor lying by the bed side.

On the surgeons examining the wound, he said to him, ” It’s no use, Doctor your interfering with me; I had such a d— d bad tool or I’d have made a job of it for all that.” As Mr Hatherley persisted in endeavouring to bind up his throat he added, ” It’s no use your interfering with me— I’ve finished it, for I’ve taken arsenic.” On being asked how he took it, he said “in coffee— and there is the remainder on the table.” The surgeon, not considering the wound in the throat fatal, immediately administered an emetic which began to operate before his throat was completely dressed, and by subsequent applications his stomach was thoroughly cleared. Although the most anxious attention was paid to him, he died on Monday last from the effects of the poison. A verdict of Temporary Insanity was, very charitably, recorded. Friday 01 September 1843

Hereford Journal – Wednesday 18 May 1842
Aged 66, Mr. W T Spencer, of the Bull Head, Mountsorrell, father of Mr. W. Spencer, jun. of the same place, who destroyed himself a fortnight ago. His wife died in the Leicester Lunatic Asylum, on the 8th ult. his son on the 18th, and himself on the 25th.

In the next article from the Leicester Journal Mr W Spencer’s effects are to be sold at auction at the White Swan Inn, Mountsorrel.
Leicester Journal, Friday 15 September 1843
Sale of Freehold Property, Mountsorrel. TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,
By Messrs. BURTON & CLARK, _
On Monday, the 18th day of September, 1843, at the house of Mr. Rudkin, the White Swan Inn, in Mountsorrel, at four o’clock in the afternoon, subject to such conditions as will be then produced : The following Freehold ESTATES, viz., all those two MESSUAGES or TENEMENTS, containing a frontage to the street of about fifty-two feet, with yard, garden, well planted with choice fruit trees in full perfection, capital oven, stable, and piggery, and two small Tenements adjoining, desirably situate at the North end of the village of Mountsorrel aforesaid, occupied by Swan, Hill, and others, containing with the site of the buildings, 1656 square yards. Also, a small close of Pasture and Meadow LAND, adjoining the said garden, containing 2r. 10p. in the occupation or Mr. Thomas Simpson. And also, All those three other TENEMENTS, or Dwelling Houses, containing a like frontage of fifty-two feet, workshop, yard, with good pump therein, good garden, planted with fine fruit trees in full bearing, in the several occupations of Jane Palmer, Charles Newbold, and , containing with the site of the buildings, 1527 square yards. And also. All that Close or excellent Pasture and Meadow LAND, with a piece or ground now used a Garden, thereto belonging, situate, lying, and being in the lordship or Rothley, near to the village of Mountsorrel aforesaid, and adjoining the Leicester and Loughborough Turnpike road, containing lA.32p.be the same more or less, in the occupation Messrs. Palmer and Lee. The respective Tenants will shew the premises, and further particulars may be known on application to Messrs. Wale and Prior, of Mountsorrel, the Trustees for sale under the will Mr. W. Spencer, deceased ;

Other references for the landlords of the Bull’s Head from Pigot’s Trade Directory are:

1846 – Thomas Wilford landlord
1849 – Charles Jacques landlord, no record after this
1851 – Thomas Peet, blacksmith

In the twentieth century, reported by Noel Wakeling,  the site of the Bull’s Head was used as two shops – a gent’s hairdressers (run by Willy Lungenmuss) and as a newspaper shop run by Roy Bennett (who later opened the angling shop in Market Square which is still there), before being left empty prior to demolition.  Dr Walton (whose surgery was in the house between the Bull’s Head and Mountsorrel Hall) had the current garages built.

This photograph (2014) shows the open gateway to the garages on which site once stood the Bull’s Head.