The Richier family, 17th to 18th centuries, and the Fish Markets in Lincoln
This post ends the research into the Saracen’s Head with its connection with the Richier family and the discovery that actually there was once a street fish market in the High Street close to the Saracen’s Head.
The Stonebow, Lincoln from the south, by Samuel Hieronymus Grimm, c. 1784. The Saracen’s Head is out of view adjacent to the building on right side. (The British Library).
We have a sighting of the Saracen’s Head in 1670, by following the Richier family in Lincoln.
Originally from France where he attended Bordeaux University, Peter Richier, “Doctor of Physick”, is in Lincoln by 1641 when his oath to Parliament is recorded on the Protestation return of the parish of St Mary Magdalen in Lincoln. When he makes his will on 18 April 1670, he has a house in the Bail and he bequeaths the “Inne in Lincolne known by the name the Sarazen’s head” to his wife, Bridgett, as long as she remained his widow. Peter Richier died in November 1671 and his will was proved on 20 January 1672 (The National Archives, PROB 11/338).
Bridgette Richier, widow of Peter Richier for some 43 years, dies in 1715. In her will she bequeaths the Saracen’s head to her eldest son, Peter Richier (TNA, PROB 11/546/42).
The inn is let out and we see several innholders and their activities in local newspapers.
The Saracen’s Head appears to have functioned as the weighing room for Lincoln racecourse in 1716. For the 100 Guineas race sponsored by His Majesty on 18 October 1716 and races coming a few days after, the horses were to be “shown and entered at Mr Jordan’s at the Sarazen’s Head I Lincoln, the Saturday before they run, being the 15th Day, between the Hours of 6 in the Morning , and 6 in the Afternoon”. (Lincoln & Stamford Mercury, 6 Sept 1716).
Augustine Jordan died in 1721 and his wife, Hannah, assumed the tenancy. In 1725, an advertisement appears in the Lincoln, Rutland & Stamford Mercury for a new letting for “the Sarazen’s-Head one of the best Inns seated in the Fish-Market, and Center of the City of Lincoln … now in the Tenure of Mrs Hannah Jordan, widow”.
An official copy of a title deed dated 1731 relates to the property of Peter Richier of Lincoln, Doctor of Physick “all that Messuage or Tenement Called the Sarazens Head situate in the Fish Market in the City of Lincoln and the several tenements thereunto belonging…” (Lincolnshire Archives, LCL/5074).
Peter Richier the younger, surgeon, of the Bail, Lincoln was born in about 1648 as he was aged 17 when he entered Peterhouse College, Cambridge. He died in 1733 and by his will, made in 1728, left the Sarazen’s Head and its associated tenements to his daughter, Sarah Stewart. However, the deed of 1731 (LA, LCL/5074) was made before Peter Richier’s death leased the Sarcen’s Head and other properties to Hezekiah Brown of Lincoln, mercer and alderman, and John Harvey of Lincoln, gent., for the life of Peter Richier and then for the life of his daughter, Sarah Stewart and then to Hezekiah Brown and John Harvey upon trusts.
The Fish Markets in Lincoln
The fish market was set up between the High Bridge and the Stonebow twice a week: sea fish on Wednesdays from the Yorkshire coast and fresh-water fish on Fridays taken from the Witham (Hill, Sir Francis, Georgian Lincoln, CUP, 1966, p.143). The fish market held in the upper High Street was conveniently close to the Waterside (the River Witham) and not far from the Brayford Pool with its boat moorings.
However, on 10 April 1830, the Lighting and Paving Commissioners “Ordered that the Fish Market be removed from the High Bridge, and that notices be given to the fish-mongers usually standing there to remove the stalls and sheds”. (LA, L1/1/16/1, p. 114). This location was within the parish of St Peter at Arches.
Confusingly, there was an “Old Fish Market” in Lincoln from the 16th century. Old Fish Market is clearly shown in the parish of St Michael on the Mount at the top of Michaelgate and below the Lincoln County Hospital in Drury Lane on Padley’s 1842 map of Lincoln.
RESEARCH WELL Lincolnshire 
Hello Susan, your research on The Saracens Head was linked from a post in the facebook group You’re Probably From Lincoln If….. of a postcard of the main entrance of the Hotel. I have just read all 4 of your articles and enjoyed learning about this very much! I was especially interested in the link to the Dawson Farm on Wragby road being rented by the owner at the time, as we live on part of the land that was sold to Lincoln City. We have an apple tree in our garden that was part of the orchard listed as part of the sale. So interesting to read of the connection. Thanks for sharing all of this interesting research 🙂 Michelle Johns
Hi Michelle, – thank you so much for commenting. I get carried away with something that interests me and always hope it will be of interest to someone else – so you have made my day. I certainly find out things about which I had no idea and the farm was one of them. Funny you should mention your apple tree. I am proud of my little tree grown from a scion from he Woolsthorpe tree – I bought it when the Grantham Museum Trust was raising funds all those years ago! It is still small, but have had a few apples. I hope your tree is productive. All the very best, Susan.