Ancient Pub Names
by The United Kingdom is home to thousands of public houses, or pubs as they are usually known. Lying at the heart of rural villages or nestled in the streets of towns and cities, pubs remain at the centre of British life. Many of these cherished establishments are hundreds of years old and have distinctive names, the origins of which are based in history, mythology and folklore.
Pub names are used to differentiate individual pubs, but there are many standard names which are used throughout Britain. So let’s explore some of the most imaginative, obscure and downright bizarre pub names.
Many names for pubs that appear nonsensical have come from corruptions of old slogans or phrases, such as ‘The Bag o’Nails’ (from ‘Bacchanals’), ‘The Cat and the Fiddle’ (from ‘Caton Fidele’) and ‘The Bull and Bush’, which purportedly celebrates the victory of Henry VIII at Boulogne Bouche in France. A common name is the ‘Marquis of Granby’. Such pubs were named after John Manners, Marquess of Granby, who was a general in the British Army during the 18th century. He showed a great concern for the welfare of his men, and on their retirement, provided funds for many of them to establish taverns, which were subsequently named after him.
Many public houses are centuries old and their early customers were often unable to read. Pictorial signs were often used as a substitute, thus providing an outlet for vibrant folk art.
Historical and Mythological Names
The John Barleycorn: A personification of barley, John Barleycorn is a character of English traditional folk music and folklore, similar to the Green Man. He is annually cut down at the ankles, but always reappears – an allegory of growth and harvest.
The Black Horse: usually named after the highwayman Dick Turpin’s legendary overnight ride from London to York in 1737.
The George and Dragon: St George is the patron saint of England and his conflict with a dragon is essential to his story. This sign is a symbol of English national identity.
The Green Man: a spirit of the wild woods. The original images are in churches as a face peering through or made of leaves and petals. Some pub signs show the green man as he appears in traditional English sword dances.
Brewing names
The Barley Mow: Barley is laid in a malting, watered and heated gently until the grain germinates. Cooking then kills the germination process, and the result is called malt. Malt is the ingredient in beer which gives it its sweet taste and colour. The mow is a stack.
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Post CommentTrevorS
On December 12, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Great article, and one that will prompt me to do some further research. I travel a lot in the UK, and see lots of pubs, and have often resolved to look up the origins of the names.