Boarded House

The Boarded House in the Bear Garden "at the Backside of Soho Square" in Marylebone Fields was an arena that showcased "Trials of Skill" (prize-fighting combats using weapons) and on occasion other spectacles such as animal baiting. The Boarded House is shown northwest of the Adam and Eve tavern, Oxford Street, at the north end of what would become Adam and Eve Court in "A Survey of Marybone, And Barrow-Hills" by Henry Pratt, 1708. Hugh Phillips, F.S.A., identifies its location as the "grass fields at the intersection of two paths which subsequently became Wells Street and Castle Street" (Mid Georgian London: A Topographical and Social Survey of Central and Western London about 1750, 1964, p. 227). However, it seems likely that it was located closer to the present-day Mortimer Street a little to the north (see, e.g., "Plan of Marylebone Estate," in George Clinch, Marylebone and St. Pancras; Their History, Celebrities, Buildings, and Institutions, 1890, facing p. 4; it should be noted, however, that in the text Clinch incorrectly conflates the Boarded House with Figg's Amphitheatre, which was a separate establishment).

Master of the "Noble Science of Defence" James Figg fought at the Boarded House from 1714 until around 1724 when he built a new Amphitheatre adjoining his House at the Sign of the City of Oxford in Oxford Road, Marylebone.

Figg's "farewell to the Bear Garden" was a combat on Friday, August 9, 1723, though he agreed to a trial of skill there after that date.

A Tryal of Skill to be fought at the Bear-Garden in Marrow-Bone-Fields the Backside of Soho-Square, at the Boarded House, this present Wednesday, being the 22d of July, beginning precisly at 3 a Clock, between Daniel Beane from Flanders, Master of the Noble Science of Defence, and Timothy Buck of Clare-Market, Master of the said Science.
—Daily Courant 3673, Wednesday, July 22, 1713

A Tryal of Skill to be fought at the Bear-Garden in Marrow-Bone-Fields the Backside of Soho-Square, at the Boarded-House, to Morrow being Wednesday, the 9th of June, beginning at 3 of the Clock precisely, between John Parkes of Coventry, Master of the Noble Science of Defence, with his Brothers, and Mr. Buck and his two Scholars. Note, We shall Fight on the Day above-mentioned, with Mr. Buck of Clare-Market, Master of the said Science, Thomas Commins and James Figg, his two Scholars.
—Daily Courant 3938, Tuesday, June 8, 1714

A Tryal of Skill to be fought at the Bear-Garden in Marrow-Bone-Fields the Backside of Soho-Square, at the Boarded-House, this present Wednesday, being the 13th of October, beginning at 3 of the Clock precisely, between John Parkes and his Brother, Masters of the Noble Science of Defence, against Timothy of Buck of Clare-Market and his Scholar James Figg, Masters of the said Science.
—Daily Courant 4048, Thursday, October 14, 1714

At the Desire of several Persons of Quality, at the Bear Garden the backside of Soho Square, the Boarded House in Marybone Fields, on Tuesday the 24th instant, at 3 a Clock in the Afternoon, there will be a very large Leopard to be Baited, with Bull Dogs and Bear Dogs. Tickets to be had at Will's Coffeehouse in Covent Garden, the Cocoa Nut Tree Chocolate House in Pall Mall, Mr. Dison's at the Red Lyon and Sun in Swithin's Alley near the Royal Exchange, and at the Boarded House aforesaid. The two front Seats in the first Gallery at 5s and the other 2s 6d. The front Seats of the 2d Gallery 2s. and the other 1s. The said Leopard, with a great Collection of strange wild Creatures, may be seen in a Room at the aforesaid Place, at any time before it is Baited. None to be admitted to stand on the Ground but those belonging to the Dogs. By David Randal and Rich. Watterton.
—Post Man and the Historical Account 11250, April 19–21, 1716

At the Desire of several Persons of Quality.
At the Boarded-House in Barrow-Bone Fields, the backside of Soho-Square, To-morrow being Tuesday the 21st of May, there will be a very large African Tyger baited with six Bull-dogs and Bear-dogs for 100 l. There will be also a young mad Bull to be baited, with Fireworks all over his Body. Likewise a wild Bear from Muscovy, to be baited with Fireworks in the same Manner. Also a very good Hat to be play'd for by 6 young Men at Blunts, he that breaks most Heads in 6 Bouts wins the Hat. With other Variety of Bull-baiting and Bear-baiting as usual, all to be perform'd upon a Stage 4 Foot high from the Ground. There is but 30 Half-Guinea Tickets, they are to be had at Rich. Perry's in Channel-row Westminster, there will be 100 Tickets at 5 s. 2s. 6d.   2 s. and 1 s. each, to be delivered at the aforesaid Place. The Doors to be open'd at 2 a Clock, and the Tyger to be upon the Stage at 5 precisely.
—Daily Courant 4861, Monday, May 20, 1717

At the Boarded House in Marybone Fields, To Morrow will be perform'd, a Tryal of Skill. I Robert Waldron of London, Plumber, Master of the noble Science of Defence, being invited by Mr. John Parks, and he unexpectedly being gone out of Town, do invite Mr. James Figg, to meet me and exercise the usual Weapons. I James Figg, from Thame in Oxfordshire, Master of the said Science, who fought Mr. Robert Waldron 3 Bouts at Sword when Mr. Buck and Mr. Harris fought, will not fail (God willing) to meet this bold Inviter, the time and Place appointed. Note, There will be 6 Bouts fought at Staff by 2 Scholars, one of each Master, for 6 Guineas. The Door will be open at 3 and the Masters mount at 6.
—Post Man and the Historical Account 16524, July 5–8, 1718

At the Request of several Persons of Quality.
At the Boarded House in Marybone-Fields, on Monday next, being the 17th of November, will be seen the Famous Grimace Spaniard, who has had the Honour to Perform before His Majesty at Hampton-Court, and likewise in most Courts in Europe, who for his Boldness and Activity, has gain'd great Applause. N.B. He is to Fight Three Bulls loose, after the Spanish Fashion, with Darts, and is oblig'd to Kill one with his Sword. They are to be the Maddest Bulls that can be got; and if any Gentleman has a Bull Madder than ordinary, he is welcome to bring him to the Place aforesaid, and he will Fight him. He likewise makes his Entry on Horseback, after the Spanish Manner of Killing them that Way. The Doors will be open'd at 11 in the Forenoon, and the Sport will begin at 1 precisely, by reason of the Shortness of the Days. Tickets to be had at St. James's Coffee-house, Young Man's at Charing-Cross, and Tom's in Cornhill; at Ten Shillings and Five Shillings each; and Half a Crown the Back Gallery, which will be taken at the Door.
—Daily Courant 5321, Monday, November 10, 1718

At the desire of several Persons of Quality, and Others,
At the Board-House in Marybone-Fields, on Wednesday the 16th of March, 1720, was to have been fought a Tryal of Skill, between John Parkes from Coventry; and James Figg from Thame in Oxfordshire, Masters of the Noble Science of Defence; but the Day being so very cold that the Gentlemen desired it might be put of till Wednesday the 30th instant, where the above named, Masters will not fail at the Time and Place appointed, to give a general Satisfaction to all Spectators.
     N. B. They never design'd to have fought any more but the Sword has been so much abus'd by pretended Masters, and Gentlemen deciev'd [sic] and have not seen the truth of it, which was the Occasion of this Battle; but for the future they will prevent all such coming on the Stage.
     The Doors will be open at Three, and the Masters mount at Five.
—Original Weekly Journal, Saturday, March 26, 1720

At the Boarded House in Marybone-Fields, on Monday next the 19th Instant, there will be Baited a very large Panther, at the Desire of several Persons of Quality, who is to fight six Bull and Bear Dogs, for 200 Gaineas [sic]. Likewise, for the Diversion of the Quality, is a green Bull to be Baited to Death upon a Stage 30 Foot square; and a large Bear to be Baited upon the same Stage. Tickets to be had at Will's Coffee-house in Covent-Garden, at the Cocoa-Tree Chocolate-House in Pallmall, and at the Crown Coffee-house behind the Royal Exchange. First Gallery 5 s. Second Gallery 2 s. 6 d. Boxes to be set at 3 a Clock in the Afternoon, and the Panther to be upon the Stage at 5 exactly, because the Diversion will last long. None to be admitted on the Stage but those that belong to the Dogs. By Nicholas Anderson and Richard Davis.
—Daily Post 531, Tuesday, June 13, 1721

Our Modern Gladiators at Marybone on Wednesday last seem'd to be more in Earnest with their Sharps than usual: for after Figg, a noted Master of the Science, had entirely disabled his Antagonist, as his farewell to the Bear-Garden, another of these useful Heroes mounted, and gave a voluntary Challenge to be immediately decided; which was accepted by a Person commonly call'd the Bold Brasier, and, in a few hearty Cuts, his Boldness was defeated.
—Daily Journal 795, Friday, August 9, 1723

At the Boarded-House in Marybone-Fields, to Morrow being Wednesday, the 2d Day of October, will be perform'd a Tryal of Skill by the following Masters.
     Whereas I John Hoyle from Beverley, late Serjeant in the Army, Master of the Noble Science of Defence, and formerly Scholar to the famous Reuben Terrewest, having by my singular Skill in the said Science been stil'd, The Yorkshire Champion: Where hearing the great Applause of Mr. James Figg, who in all his Encounters has hitherto been so successful, as to be esteem'd the Invincible Hero: and being Emulous that any Man should have that Character but myself, I do hereby invite the said Mr. Figg to meet me as above, and dispute the same at the usual Weapons fought on the Stage.
     I James Figg, from Thame in Oxfordshire, Master of the said Science, upon my declining Fighting any more but with strange Masters, did not believe I should have much occasion thereto, not knowing or hearing of above two or three in Ireland, that were Famous, or had any Emulation that Way, one of which of late came over: But seeing our Nation here affords a Hero, I will not fail to meet him at the appointed Place and Time; where, if upon Trial his Judgment or Skill is superior to mine, the Honour will still continue in the same; and at the same Time shall put such Methods in Execution, as I don't doubt but will keep it in its proper Centre.      N.B. The Doors will be open at Three, and the Masters mount at Five precisely.
—Daily Post 1251, Tuesday, October 1, 1723

At the Boarded House in Marybone Fields, on Thursday next, being the 3d Day of October, will be perform'd a Tryal of Skill by the following Women.
     Whereas I Elizabeth Bedford, from the Pindar of Wakefield, hearing of the Fame of the City Championess, do invite her to Fight me at the usual Weapons fought on the Stage, viz. Back-Sword, Sword and Dagger, Sword and Buckler, and Quarter-Staff.
     Whereas Elizabether Bedford will not be satisfy'd without Fighting me, the City Championess, but hath several Times said, that I would not, nor dare not Fight her: Now to let her see the contrary, as well as to satisfy the Desire of those Gentlemen, who are willing ot see whether I am as well qualify'd in the Noble Science of Defence as I am in the Art of Boxing, I was and dare meet her at the Place and [here the page is cut off—Ed.]
—Daily Post 1251, Tuesday, October 1, 1723

—Allison Muri

[Boarded House in Oxford Street, originally Tyburn Road.] A plan of 1708 shews … the Adam and Eve, a detached roadside public-house in the Dung-field, near the present Adam-and-Eve-court, almost opposite Poland-street; and in an adjoining field is represented the boarded house of Figg, the prize fighter.

3806 BOARDED HOUSE see Figgs Amphitheatre No. 6452, and Boarded House signs Nos. 16888–91.

6452 Figgs "Boarded house or amphitheatre in Oxford Road Marylebone”; “the Boarded House in Marybone Fields” 1720–34. Bramston in The Art of Politicks, 1731:

“From Figg's new Theatre he'll miss a night,
Though cocks and bulls and Irish women fight."

Figg’s was followed by “Broughton’s New Amphitheatre, a boxing theatre in the Oxford Road, at the back of the late Mr. Figg’s” 1742–80s. See Broughtons No. 3978.

16888 “The Boarded House Mary-le-bon-fields” 1715-16, may be Figg’s Boarded House No. 6452.