In the 16th Century, Stonegate was well known for its book shops and printers. A print-shop was based at 33 Stonegate, and outside, at the corner of the building, is a little carved red devil. This is a reference to the printer’s apprentice and assistant, who was responsible for carrying hot metal type. In printing folklore, a particular type of demon haunted every print-shop, performing mischief such as inverting type, misspelling words or removing lines of completed type. Over time, the source of these errors was transferred to the printer’s assistant, who retained the nickname ‘the printer’s devil.’

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Has the little devil been at work on this page? I see what you did there!

Love that when I googled The Stonegate Devil the text stated that he was held responsible by printers for “misspelling worms”. Seems he’s still at it!

Was it bakery shop before by a couple called Michael & Dorothy Richarson?

I think it was the Buckle family who had the bakery.

The printers apprentice restaurant features both him and Thomas gent heavily, just up the snicket he sits on! I must see! The owner Shaun has gone to great lengths to bring the history back to life in the building. Fantastic place to stop for a coffee and a bite to eat!

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