Bell Savage Inn

The Bell Savage Inn was a former public house in London, England, from the 15th century to 1873, originally located on the north side of what is now Ludgate Hill, in the City of London. It was a playhouse during the Elizabethan Era, as well as a venue for various other entertainments. It was also an important coaching inn. Other names by which it has been known throughout history include: Savage's Inn, The Bel Savage, Belle Savage, Belle Sauvage, Bell on the Hoop, Old Bell Savage, Belly Savage and others.

Written records allow the Inn's history to be traced back to at least 1420. In 1453 (in the reign of Henry VI), a deed gave the building's name (in translation) as "Savage's Inn" or "The Bell on the Hoop" and located within the parish of St. Bridget (Bride) in Fleet Street. "Savage" is thought to be the name of a former, perhaps the original, proprietor; a William Savage, who was recorded as having resided in Fleet Street in 1380, has been suggested as a possibility, which, would date the inn back to at least some time in the 14th century.

The alternative name "Bell on the Hoop" may be explained by the fact that both symbols have commonly been used on English Inn signs of the period – the "hoop" refers to a garland of Ivy. The later name, "Bell Savage", could have arisen as a linguistic inversion of "Savage's Bell".

In 1554, it is recorded that Sir Thomas Wyatt, leader of a popular revolt against Queen Mary, and his men, "came to Bell Savage, an Inn nigh unto Lud gate", but the gate was closed to prevent the rebels entering the City of London. Hence Wyatt "rested him awhile upon a stall over against the Bell Savage gate". Shortly afterwards he surrendered at Temple Bar.

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