25/07/2025
The Birmingham Poet
Birmingham Warwickshire DH-30 Penny
PCGS MS64RB and PCGS MS64 Brass
Obv: Bust of John Freeth facing right with hat.
Rev: Oak wreath with “BRITONS BEHOLD | THE BARD OF FREEDOM | PLAIN & BOLD | WHO SINGS AS DRUIDS | SUNG OF OLD”
Edge: MANUFACTURED BY W. LUTWYCHE BIRMINGHAM
John Freeth’s life and work offer a glimpse into the social and intellectual landscape of 18th-century Birmingham, showcasing how a local innkeeper and poet could become a significant force in shaping the cultural and political life of his time.
Around 1768, Freeth became the landlord of the Leicester Arms tavern, also known as Freeth’s Coffee House. This establishment became a center for political and cultural activity in Birmingham, hosting groups like the Birmingham Book Club. Freeth was a vocal political figure, aligning himself with the Whig party. His coffee house, sometimes referred to as the “Jacobin Club” due to its radical leanings, served as a meeting place for those who opposed the government of Lord North.
Freeth was a prolific poet and songwriter known for creating topical ballads set to popular tunes. He would regularly perform these songs at his coffee house, drawing large crowds and sparking discussions. His works, collected in publications such as “The Political Songster,” covered various subjects, including politics, local events, and social commentary.
Freeth’s efforts fostered the growth of popular political consciousness in Birmingham during the Midlands Enlightenment. He is remembered as an independent and passionate figure who used his talents to shape public opinion and promote discussion in his community.
John Freeth died on September 29, 1808. His obituary in Aris’s Birmingham Gazette praised him as “a facetious bard of nature” and the “proprietor of Freeth’s Coffee-house, Bell Street, a house much frequented by strangers as well as the inhabitants,” where he delighted audiences with his witty and humorous songs.
From the collection of The Pirates Penny
