"You has eaten some Hull cheese"

There's been an inn on this site since the late 18th century, this is the former Paragon Hotel now named the Hull Cheese. The Paragon Hotel gave its name to Paragon Street and Hull's Paragon Station. Hull cheese is not made from milk, oh no sir. It's described by a poet in 1622 as "... composed of two simples, mault and water, in one compound, and is cousin-germane to the mightest ale in England". This gave rise to an old saying "You has eaten some Hull cheese" meaning you're drunk. Hull was famous for its brewing of strong ales. The Corporation would send the town's MP a barrel or two when the House was sitting which may explain the actions of Parliament at this time. Peregrine Pelham, M.P., for Hull, in 1640, writing to the Corporation says : - " I am much importuned for Hull ale, both by Lords and Commons, who are willing to further me in anything that concerns your towne. . . .If it please you to send me a tonne of Hull ale, and leave it to my disposeing, it will not be lost," and in another letter he tells them that the Speaker had asked for "some Hull ale." ( 1 )

Scroll forward a few centuries and this Hull Cheese has a troubled reputation. It was the scene of  a drunken brawl a few years back that saw five men jailed and a man in hospital. It was renovated last year so let's hope that's all in the past.

For more monochrome posts go to The Weekend in Black & White.