It is recorded that in 1304 the Abbot and Convent of Hyde purchased here from William de Lategareshall two houses, held of the Archbishop of Canterbury. On this site the abbot built himself a town dwelling, and at the same time probably a hostelry for the convenience of travellers. In 1307 he obtained licence from the Bishop of Winchester to build a chapel at or by the inn. In a later deed occur the following words: "The Abbott's lodgeinge was wyninge to the backside of the inn called the Tabarde and had a garden attached." Stow, in his Survey, puts the matter clearly when he says, "Within this inn was also the lodging of the Abbot of Hide (by the City of Winchester) a fair house for him and his train, when he came to that city to parliament." A lease of the Tabard dated 1st April, 31 Henry VIII., has been found by Mr. G. Rutter Fletcher, F.S.A., and was printed, with notes by the present writer, in the "Collections" of the Surrey Archæological Society, 1896, Vol. XIII. Its chief interest lies in the enumeration of the rooms and their fixtures, given in the schedule, which may not unlikely represent the house much as it was in Chaucer's time. At the dissolution this inn, with other possessions of Abbot Salcote or Capon, was surrendered, and granted by the king to Thomas and John Master. The sign of the Tabard (or sleeveless coat, like that worn by heralds), sometimes the Syrcote, was used till about the end of the sixteenth century, when it was little by little changed to Talbot, perhaps through fancy or carelessness. Aubrey says, "the ignorant landlord or tenant, instead of the ancient sign of 'The Tabard,' put up 'The Talbot,' a species of dog." Be this as it may, in certain Chancery proceedings of 27th June 1599, both names are used. About this time there were large additions to the building. We are told by Speght in his second edition of Chaucer (1602) that:—"Whereas through time it has been much decaied, it is now by Master J. Preston, with the Abbot's house thereto adjoined, newly repaired, and with convenient rooms much increased for the receipt of many guests." In 1676 occurred the great Southwark fire, when "the Talbot, with its backhouses and stables, &c., was burnt to the ground." It was, however, rebuilt on the old plan, as depicted in drawing No. 7, and continued to be a picturesque and interesting example of seventeenth century architecture until 1875-76, when the whole was swept away. Hop merchants' offices and a modern "Old Tabard" occupy the site. Here Roman objects were found in 1912. This drawing was copied from one by George Shepherd (1810) which is in private hands. It formerly belonged to the late Mr. R. P. Evans, hop merchant, who occupied rooms in the George Inn Yard. (7-3/4 × 10-3/4) D. 11-1896. 8. The George Inn, Southwark, 1884; also seventeenth century Trade Token issued from here (Black and white). (13 × 9-3/4) D. 12-1896.