The Canterbury UAD states that this inn was previously owned by Rigden/Fremlins/Whitbread.

The present pub was built around 1890 but as records show there has been a pub on the site, or close by, for several hundred years.

It was on the Licensing Lists for 1692 and on the Billeting List of 1693 for 6 soldiers.

There is an earlier record in the City records in 1610 when: 'an agreement between Peter Forde, Baker, and William Watmer, Alderman, whereby the said Peter agrees to pay to the said William the sum of £140 in yearly instalments of £10 for a house in the Parish of St. Peter known as The Griffin but formerly The Bull'

From Rigden's rent books in the City Archives we read that the Black Griffin in St. Peter's was let to:- 1803 William Bailey October 2nd To one year's rent received of William Bailey due 10 Oct 1803 £10. 10. 0
Sarah Bailey paid this from Dec. 1810 for one year and then the holding changed regularly. Henry Cullen paid from 1827-1833.

Meetings of Lodge 24 were held in the pub prior to 1819 and a Masonic Festival was held there in 1809.

Wilmot, E., 1988, Inns of Canterbury (Monograph). SKE29737.