Europa pub (site of) Rotherhithe, London SE16

Image: © Chris Lordan Taken: 12 Oct 2009

Just in front of the left hand edge of this reasonably new building, marks the site of the "Europa" pub that was at 9 St Marychurch Street at the junction with Clarkes Orchard. The pub was demolished in the late 1970s or early 1980s, having been built in the 19th century. Its predecessor was opened in 1769, was of timber construction and built very close to if not on the same spot as the new one, in what was then Old Market Place. The original was burnt down by a police officer, PC Palmer, in 1834 along with many other buildings in Clarkes Orchard. He later committed more arson by burning down the Spread Eagle pub (now the Mayflower) and adjoining buildings. He was arrested after gutting a collier on the Surrey Canal - all acts committed on beats patrolled by him. The original pub had a sign of a bull and the second had a sign of a woman sitting upon a bull. In mythology, Europa was the daughter of Agenor, King of Phoenicia; wooed by Zeus (King of the Gods) who took the form of a bull.

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