Everyone loves an “Olde Worlde” pub with its oak beams, horse brasses and roaring log fires. Nevertheless, no matter how old the pub itself, the name on the sign outside is probably the most historic thing about the place.
The idea of the pub sign came to Britain at the time of the Roman invasion. Wine bars in ancient Rome hung bunches of vine leaves outside as trading signs but when the Romans came here, they found precious few vines in the inhospitable climate. Instead, they hung up bushes to mark out the inns and the names Bush or Bull & Bush still survive.
Some of the earlier pubs were named after the Holy War crusades such as The Turks head and the Saracens head. Later pubs were named after both real and imaginary people such as Lord Nelson, Marquis of Granby, Dick Turpin and the George and Dragon.
Old age sports are often used in pub names such as The Angler for fishing, The Bear for bear baiting fans and the Cock for followers of the blood thirty sport of cock-fighting.
Predominant trades of an area would also give pubs their names such as The Coopers Arms, The Golden Fleece and The Wheelwights Arms.
Transport also features in many pub names including The Railway Tavern, The Pack Horse and The Horse and Groom to name a few.
No comments:
Post a Comment