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ed lion Tales A few snippets about the old Red Lion Brewery that once stood beside the Thames
alderman stairs Four generations of the Parsons family ran the Red Lion Brewery, and in 1693-4 it was assessed as the most valuable brewing establishment in London. Sir John Parsons (1639-1717) – who took over from his father – was commissioner for victualling the Navy, served as Master of the Brewers’ Company, and was elected Lord Mayor in 1703. This engraving depicts Sir John leaving the brewery in his mayoral barge. The ‘Alderman Stairs’ – named in honour of his son Humphrey, himself twice Lord Mayor – still survive, off St Katharine’s Way. Research: Martin Melville
how old? The Red Lion Brewery is known to date back to the 16th century and is believed to be even older. It was, probably, one of the ‘beerhouses’ mentioned in John Stow’s ‘Survey of London’ (1597) and also ‘the Lyon’ beerhouse referenced in a licence given to the brewer John Merchant – a ‘Fleminge’ – to export ‘ale called beere’ by Henry VII in 1492. These extracts have been compiled thanks to research by Victoria Hutchings, author of ‘The Red Lion Brewery: Hoare & Co.’ 8