The pub took its name from the large number of blacksmiths clustered around the Tithebarn area. The name stayed with the premises for over 200 years before being changed to The Tithebarn. An old town custom called 'Boundary Riding' took place here whereupon the Mayor and members of the Corporation would set off on horseback to view the boundaries of the borough. As part of this ceremony, two of the towns bailiffs were whipped round the nearby pump. Things got out of hand, as these events are wont to do, when the blacksmiths joined in the fray and began to beat the poor bailiff's with iron bars and other iron implements. After this the old custom was discontinued.
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