Duke Of Normandy, Normandy

While many believe the village of Normandy to be named after the Duke of Normandy pub, this seems unlikely because Normandy is referred to in deeds and maps as early as 1608. In 1841 the site, where the pub now stands was a green field. By 1855 the pub was established as the Duke of Normandy and was leased to Thomas Taunton, the Guildford brewer and it was fully licensed before 1869. Taunton's brewery and public houses were taken over by Friary in 1874 and the pattern of company ownership was established. In 1991 Friary Meux sold the Duke of Normandy to Greene King plc and July 2012 the pub finally closed. From 1881 to 1930 the landlords were the Carpenter family. In the 1920s and 30s Friary used to deliver to the Duke of Normandy in a steam lorry. Throughout World War II the landlord was Alf Godwin, who was in Normandy's wartime fire brigade. In 1993 the tenants Robin and Val Osborne gave the Duke of Normandy a "vigorous refurbishment" which took six weeks and cost £65,000, and decorated the walls with historical photographs of the area provided by Normandy Historians.(Source: Normandy Historians Website)