These are some of Southampton’s most told stories – but which of them are true?

Canute's Palace

King Canute was King of England from 1016-1035 and the story of resisting an incoming tide was first recorded in the Historia Anglorum in the early 12th century.

Other places such as Bosham in West Sussex claim it was there that he did it.

However, Southampton has a strong claim as he succeeded to the throne here although was crowned in Winchester.

Contested stories - SeeSouthampton

He is said to have defeated the Anglo Saxon King Ethelred in Southampton in 1014.

There is a plaque on the former Canute Hotel opposite the entrance to Ocean Village. The first mention of Canute Road is in the Street Directories of 1851.

The Grade 1 listed Canute's Palace in Porters Lane is the name given to the ruins of a 15-metre-high Norman merchant's house dating from the late twelfth century. Despite its name, the building has no connection with him nor was it a palace.

Contested stories - SeeSouthampton

It is generally agreed nowadays that wherever he did it the aim was to show that Kings did not have the power to control nature and were only human.

Southampton old Bowling Green

Southampton Old Bowling Green, situated on the corner of Lower Canal Walk and Platform Road, is the world's oldest surviving bowling green. It was first used in 1299.

The nearby Hospital of "God's House" was founded in 1185 for pilgrims who were going either to the shrine of St. Swithun at Winchester or Archbishop Thomas Becket at Canterbury.

The green was established for the recreational use of the Warden of God’s House. The club that plays there now is believed to date from the 17th century.

Red Lion Pub

Another enduring story is that the Red lion pub in the High Street is where plotters against King Henry V were tried.

The pub has an upstairs area called The Courtroom but there are no contemporary records of a trial here. The Southampton Plot of 1415 is dramatised in Shakespeare’s play about Henry V which does mention the Red Lion but was written around 1599.

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The plan was to replace Henry V with Edmund Mortimer. He was the great-grandson of the second surviving son of King Edward III and his claim to the throne was superior to that of Henry V.

The trial did take place in Southampton, probably in the former Southampton Castle. Today , Castle House flats are on the site. Several conspirators were executed in front of the Bargate in early August 1415.

Contested stories - SeeSouthampton
 

Itchen Toll Bridge

Many claim that once the toll to use the Itchen Bridge had raised enough to cover the £12 million initial cost it would be removed.

When the Echo asked the city council in 2021 a spokesperson said: “We can confirm that there has never been an agreement or plan to remove the Itchen Bridge toll,”

The toll is controlled by the Hampshire Act 1983 (an Act of Parliament) and has two functions.

16 Jan 2013 - Itchen Bridge stock photo.

 

Firstly, it pays for the ongoing maintenance of the bridge, including repairs and daily maintenance as well as upgrades like lighting.

It also controls congestion in the area around the bridge by deterring non-local traffic from using the bridge as a (shorter) route to the city centre from further east.

Bob Marley played in Swaythling

One story that is true but seems unbelievable is that Bob Marley played a Monday night gig in Swaythling.

It was May 29, 1973 and the Wailers – Marley didn't get solo billing until later – had nearly finished a promotional tour for their debut major album Catch a Fire.

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They were booked by Avenue Artistes to play the Coach House club at the rear of the Fleming Arms.

They were paid £75 and it is said the contract mistakenly called them The Whalers.

Contested stories - SeeSouthampton

Contested stories - SeeSouthampton

Some reports say their van had been stuck under the nearby railway bridge.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled in 2011 at the Fleming Arms and in 2020 the gig was briefly included in BBC 2 programme When Bob Marley Came To Britain.

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SeeSouthampton logo.

Martin Brisland is a tour guide with SeeSouthampton.co.uk .