From this website:
The Inn dates back until at least 1364, when it was owned by the Teynturer family. The naming of the Inn may have been connected with the Guild of Saint George — William Teynturer (the younger) left property in his will to the Guild in 1376.
Between 1590 and 1624 a Free School was run in one of the Inn’s rooms. Subsequent to that, it was ordered that plays should only be performed in the Old George Inn ‘the size and form of the inner courtyard being well adapted for that purpose’
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San Diego Sarah • Link
Old George Inn, built in 1361, was one of Salisbury’s oldest inns. Only part of the original Old George remains.
Inside is a wonderful banqueting hall with wooden panels, bunched pillars, oak timbers and a large stone fireplace. Roughly carved heads of Edward II and Queen Isabella are above the pillars.
The inn has kept its steep 18th-century staircase, rough floors, Tudor plasterwork decorations and remarkable bay window.
The Old George Inn had an impressive guest list:
William Shakespeare and his strolling players stayed at the George en route to Wilton House. The story goes that they rehearsed 'As You Like It' in the garden where the Old George Mall now stands.
Shakespeare's players first performed 'As You Like It' in 1600 -- and perhaps Twelfth Night (c 1601) at Wilton. Nearby Salisbury, Wilts., also claims to be the place where 'As You Like It' was first performed, which was probably the dress rehearsal.
On October 17, 1645, Oliver Cromwell spent a night at Old George on his way to joining the army.
Samuel Pepys stayed there for one night in 1668, and when he saw the bill, he became infuriated, had a row with the landlady and moved to a cheaper inn the next morning.
The inn also appears in Charles Dickens' novel "Martin Chuzzlewit".
From: http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/wilts…
https://www.gpsmycity.com/attract…
http://humphrysfamilytree.com/Her…