“But now we’re at Harwich, and thankful am I,Our Inn’s the Three Cups, and our dinner draws nigh,But first for a walk to survey this old Borough,To peep at the church, and the churchyard go thorough.”
“But now we’re at Harwich, and thankful am I,Our Inn’s the Three Cups, and our dinner draws nigh,But first for a walk to survey this old Borough,To peep at the church, and the churchyard go thorough.”
“But now we’re at Harwich, and thankful am I,Our Inn’s the Three Cups, and our dinner draws nigh,But first for a walk to survey this old Borough,To peep at the church, and the churchyard go thorough.”
Again, theAdam and Eve, which occurs at West Ham, as noticed hereafter, is a very old device as a sign. This example is forty years old at least. Messrs. Larwood and Hotten state (p. 257) that “our first parents were constantdramatis personæin the mediæval mysteries and pageants;” but both they and Mr. Jewitt overlook the fact that the sign may with equal probability have been derived from the arms of the Fruiterers’ Company,[38]which appear on the halfpenny of Jasper Eve of Springfield in 1669. In this case, however,the device probably was intended as a rebus upon the name. The sign of theThree Pigeonsis not improbably derived from the arms of the Tallow-chandlers’ Company,[39]since there is no other obvious source from which it can have come. Although Larwood and Hotten seem to regard it as being now a rare sign, there are two cases of it in Essex—one at Stratford, and the other at Halstead. As already stated, the occupation of the tallow-chandler is represented ten times on the Essex tokens of the seventeenth century, either by the arms of the Company, by a man making candles, or by a stick of candles. The latter device appears on the undated farthing of William Newman of Halstead, and may have some connection with theThree Pigeonswhich now exists there, and has certainly done so for at least forty years back. TheDove and Olive-branch, which is shown on the undated farthing of “George Evanes in Ingatestone,” is also probably a device taken from the arms of this Company. Other arms and emblems belonging to the great trade companies, and appearing commonly on the tokens of the seventeenth century, have now quite disappeared—at least so far as Essex is concerned. For instance, theBarber-Surgeons’ Arms[40]are to be seen on the halfpence of “Thomas Bvll of Mamvdine, 1669,” and of “Henry Carter, Chirvrgeon, in Manitree, 1669.” TheGrocers’ Arms[41]occur, as already stated, no less than about twenty-five times, either as the Grocers’ Arms, a sugar-loaf, three sugar-loaves, one or more cloves, or a sugar-loaf and cloves combined. TheGrocers’ Armsand anEscalopoccur respectively on the two sides of the undated token of “George Nicholson in Tolshon Dacey in S.X.” The sign of theThree Sugar-loavesstill occurs at Sible Hedingham, and has been in existence there for a century at least, as the house is mentioned in an advertisement in theChelmsfordChronicleon March 9, 1787. It can hardly be called an heraldic sign, as the three sugar-loaves seem only to have been set up by grocers as an emblem of their business. At the present time the house has no sign-board, but the three sugar-loaves are suspended over the door as here shown. There is also a beer-house of the same name in Felstead parish.
Image not available: THREE SUGAR-LOAVES AT SIBLE HEDINGHAM.THREE SUGAR-LOAVES AT SIBLE HEDINGHAM.
TheWoolpack, which occurs eight times on the Essex tokens of the seventeenth century, and six times in the county at present, will be noticed hereafter. It is, doubtless, derived from the arms of the Woolmen’s Company.[42]TheApothecaries’ Arms[43]appear on the tokens of “Isaac Colman, grocr, in Colchester, 1667,” and of Thomas Bradshawe of Harwich, in the same year. TheDrapers’ Arms[44]
Image not available: DRAPERS’ ARMS.DRAPERS’ ARMS.
occur three times on the Essex tokens. The sign of theThree Crowns, which occurs four times in the county, as hereafter mentioned, is very probably derived either from the arms of the Drapers’ Company, or from those of the Skinners’ Company.[45]The signs of theHorseshoeand theThree Horseshoes(the former of which occurs three times in the county and the latter ten times) probably both owe their origin partly to the fact that horseshoes appear on the arms of the Farriers’ Company,[46]and partly to the old custom of fastening a horseshoe upon the stable-door or elsewhere in the belief that it would scare away witches. TheThree Horseshoesnow existing at Billericay seems to be at least one hundred years old, as it is referred to in theChelmsford Chronicleon March 10, 1786. As a beer-house sign theHorseshoeoccurs at Great Parndon, and theThree Horseshoesat Braintree, Waltham Abbey, High Ongar, and elsewhere. It appears from the parish registers of Grays that there was aHorseshoesthere in 1724, and there was aThree Horseshoesat Great Parndon in 1789. TheClothworkers’ Arms[47]appear twice on the Colchester tokens, once on the farthing of “William Cant, in Hedingham Sibley, 1667,” and once elsewhere. TheShuttleon the tokens of “Moses Love, slaymaker, of Coggshall,” and “Nathaniell Cattlin of Safron Walden, 1668,” theWoman Spinningon that of “John Little in Movlshem, 1666,” and the pair ofShearson that of “James Bonvm in Stisted, 1670,” are all probably connected with the woollen trade which formerly flourished in Essex. In 1662 there was ahouse known as theShearsin Chelmsford. It is mentioned in theAccount of the Murder of Thomas Kidderminsteras being in “Colchester-lane,” which was probably what is now known as Springfield Lane. Littlebury was once another seat of the woollen trade. Until comparatively recently the 3rd of February used to be celebrated there, as related in a poem still occasionally to be met with, that being the day dedicated to Bishop Blaize, patron of workers in wool. Two huge pairs of shears, one of which is here represented, may still be seen carved on the old oaken north door of the church.
Image not available: SHEARS. (From Littlebury Church Door.)SHEARS.(From Littlebury Church Door.)
In addition to the foregoing signs connected with trades and occupations, we have the following, though none of the employments named ever bore coats of arms. Most of them are modern vulgarisms, and need no further attention. There areCricketers’ Armsat Manningtree, Danbury, and Rickling;Maltsters’ Armsat Willingale Doe, Lambourne (beer-house), and Colchester;Freemasons’ Armsat Brightlingsea and Braintree (beer-house); aDrovers’ Armsat Rayleigh; anEngineers’ Armsat Stratford;Thatchers’ Armsat Mount Bures and Rettendon (beer-shop), Tolleshunt D’Arcy, and Great Warley; aVolunteers’ Armsat Maldon; aYachtsman’s Armsat Brightlingsea; aSlaters’ Armsat Chadwell Heath; aMoulders’ Arms(beer-shop) at Great Wakering; aWoodcutters’ Arms(beer-shop) at Eastwood; aFoundry Arms(beer-shop) at Hornchurch (of course named after Messrs. Wedlake’s foundry there);Labourers’ Armsat Great Baddow and Woodham Ferris (beer-shops); and anOdd Fellows’ Armsat Springfield (beer-house). Mr. H. W. King finds mention in ancient deeds of a house at Leigh, in 1682, with the sign of theHambro’ Merchants’ Arms, but whether an inn, shop, or private residence doesnot appear, nor is there any subsequent mention of it. The owner, George King, is described as a mercer on some of his tokens, still extant, and also on his tombstone, now destroyed. Most probably, therefore, it was a shop-sign. It stood on the site of the presentKing’s Head. At High Ongar a beer-shop displays the sign of theForesters’ Arms. Sixty years ago there was aNelson’s Armsat *Colchester. At the same time, theWeavers’ Arms[48]formed a very suitable sign at *Colchester, and there were a *Joiners’ Arms, a *Tailors’ Arms, and a *Sawyers’ Armsat the same place. Of the latter, there is still an example (beer-house) at Magdalen Laver. In times past, probably, many other trades have had their “Arms,” though only sign-board ones.
Many other “arms” are borrowed from the names of illustrious persons, though there is some uncertainty about several in the subjoined list. The following will be at once seen to be named after well-known Essex landowners: such are, theDucane Armsat Braxted, theLennard Armsat Aveley, theNeville Armsat Audley End, theRayleigh Armsat Terling, theTower Armsat South Weald, theWake Armsat Waltham Abbey (which is over forty years old), theWilkes Armsat Wenden Lofts, and theWestern Armsat Rivenhall, which figured as theLord Western Armsforty years ago, when there was also aPetre’s Armsat Ingatestone. Other arms of this class, but not necessarily connected with the county, are theCamden Armsat Forest Gate, theCowley Armsat Leytonstone, theHeadley Armsat Great Warley, theHenley Armsat North Woolwich, theLaurie Armsat Romford, theManby Armsand theWaddington Armsat Stratford, theMilton Armsat Southend, theSpencers’ Armsat Hornchurch, and theDe Beauvoirs’ Armsat Downham, together with thePeto Arms, theSidney Arms, theSutton Arms, and twoNapier’s Arms. Sixty years ago there was a *Theobald’sArmsat Grays. TheDe Beauvoirs’ Armsis at least forty years old. It seems to be locally known as “theBeavers.” Its sign is a pictorial one with the arms duly displayed. Larwood and Hotten describe theGeneral’s Armsat Little Baddow as a “new-fangled, unmeaning sign,” through knowing nothing of its local significance. It appears that the house belongs to Lord Rayleigh, and the arms of the Strutt family—crest, motto, and all—are correctly depicted upon the sign-board. It takes its name from Major-General William Goodday Strutt, brother of the first Baron. After seeing much active service, in which he lost a leg and received many wounds, he was appointed Governor of Quebec, and died February 5, 1848.
TheRoyal Armsare displayed in the undesirable neighbourhood of Silvertown. Although our present Queen has now reigned fifty years, theQueen’s Armsonly appear three times on Essex sign-boards, against no less than seventeenKing’s Arms. Probably the fact that the number of kings has been very much greater than the number of queens will fully account for this. There is, however, aVictoria Armsat Brentwood. It seems probable that during the last forty years many houses formerly known as theKing’s Headhave come to be called theKing’s Arms, after the recent craze for “arms;” for the former sign was much commoner, and the latter much rarer, forty years since than now. It may be pointed out, for instance, that in Mr. Creed’s list of signs round Epping in 1789, the King’sHeadappears six times, and the King’sArmsonly once; also that the Queen’sHeadappears twice, while the Queen’sArmsdoes not appear at all. This shows the great prevalence of “Heads” over “Arms” on the sign-boards of last century, and also that the present prevalence ofKingsoverQueensin the same situation was observable even then. Probably the two Queen’s Heads given, which were at Harlow and Fyfield respectively, represented the portrait of Queen Anne. A token was issued by William Drane at theKing’s Arms(depicted in the field), in Waltham Abbey in 1668, and the same sign is mentioned in theChelmsford Chroniclefor 1786 as occurring at Halstead. The sign still exists at both those places; but it is, of course, difficult to say whether or not the houses are the same as those that displayed the sign in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries respectively. The sign of theKing’s Armsat Waltham Abbey in 1668 can hardly have been more than eight years old at the time, as no one would have ventured to display such a sign during the time of the Commonwealth. Doubtless it was set up at the time of the Restoration in 1660 in honour of the new king, Charles II., for whose father, perhaps, this William Drane had fought.
Among the more miscellaneous “Arms” may be mentioned theChatsworth Armsat Forest Gate, theAlma Arms(beer-house) at Navestock, theChobham Armsat Stratford, together with aLiberty Arms, aLibra Arms, threeOrdnance Arms, aRailway Arms, and aRoman Armsin the Roman Road, Colchester. The last-named sign has been corrupted within the last twenty years from theRoman Urn. Most of these extremely absurd signs have come into existence during the last few years. They serve to show how completely the original use of arms as signs has become disassociated from their present use. Another indication of the modern growth of “Arms” is to be found in the fact that they are very common as beer-house signs—beer-houses having only been instituted since the beginning of this century. Even forty years ago “Arms” were decidedly less common as signs than they are now. The list has of late been swelled by such stupid and unmeaning additions as theAlma Arms,Libra Arms, andLilliput Arms, very few, if any, of which existed fifty years since.
To the above may be added the following, which appear in London, and are most of them modern and meaningless absurdities:—TheWaterloo Arms, theGrand Junction Arms, thePaviors’ Arms, thePalace Arms, theRoman Arms(in the Roman Road, Bow, E.), theMechanics’ Arms, and theVolunteers’ Arms. TheSol’s Arms, inthe Hampstead Road, commemorated by Dickens inBleak House, still exists under the same name. “Arms” in London are very frequently situated in streets of the same name, and these streets are usually named after persons, who, it may be presumed, own property in them. Altogether there are in London no less than 352 distinct signs consisting of “Arms” of some kind or other, not counting the number of times each particular sign is repeated. Thus, in London, “Arms” form rather more than twenty per cent. of all distinct signs.
THE next great class of signs to be noticed consists of what may be termed “Mammalian Signs.” In Essex no less than 464 houses, or 34·2 per cent. of the whole, display devices derived from the animal kingdom. There are, however, only 102 distinct signs. These may be classified as follows:—
This calculation is, moreover, made independent of “man and his parts,” as the heralds say. Signs of human origin have been placed in a separate class, and will be treated of hereafter by themselves.
Although many of the signs belonging to this class are, undoubtedly, nothing more than very modern vulgarisms, there can be no doubt whatever that a great number have a truly heraldic origin, as will be seen from what follows.
To commence the list, we find at Buckhurst Hill aBald-faced Stag, and in the adjoining parish of Chigwell aBald Hind. These two signs have, doubtless, the same origin, but one which it is not now easy to discover. In Essex a horse is always said to be “bald” when he has a white face.
Image not available: BALD-FACED STAG. (Buckhurst Hill.)BALD-FACED STAG.(Buckhurst Hill.)
Possibly the signs commemorate the killing of two deer with white faces in the adjoining forest, which was the last locality in the east or south-east of England in which the aboriginal wild red deer survived, the last having been killed so lately as the year 1817 or thereabouts. Both theBald Hindand theBald-faced Stagare among the oldest of the forest inns. The latter is, presumably, the same house marked as theBald Stagon Cary’s map, published in 1768. It has the same name in Mr. Creed’s list (p. 7). The Rev. Wm. Cole tells us, in his voluminous MSS., that on the morning of October 27, 1774, he “started from theCockat Epping without eating, and breakfasted at an Inne, called theBald-faced Stag.” The existing inn is a large square, white-washed building, with a high-pitched roof. It contains a portrait of Queen Anne, and the coffee-room is panelled. From it, according to the author ofNooks and Corners in Essex(p. 21), the famous “Epping Hunt,” so cleverly satirized by Tom Hood, used to start every Easter Monday, when it was no uncommon thing for five hundredmounts to ride off from the ridge on which the house stands. The Easter Monday hunt is said to have originated as far back as the year 1226, in the reign of Henry III. The custom was kept up until so recent a date as 1853, after which it gradually fell off, owing to the rough East End element which marked the annual meeting, and made it little more than a public nuisance. The stag—a tame one—was, on these occasions, taken round in turn to all the neighbouring public-houses before being set at liberty, and the amount of liquor consumed, and riot occasioned, was, in consequence, considerable. Something approaching a celebration of the old custom has, however, been attempted as lately as the last two or three years. There was also aBald-faced Stagat Hatfield Broad Oak in 1789.
Image not available: ROEBUCK. (Buckhurst Hill.)ROEBUCK.(Buckhurst Hill.)
At Buckhurst Hill there is also aRoebuck, as well as aReindeer. The former is marked on Cary’s map, published in 1768, and is probably the same house several times spoken of (p. 6) as theBuckinThe Trials of John Swan and Elizabeth Jeffries, published in 1752. It is still one of the best and most widely-known inns on the Forest. In its large Assembly Room public gatherings often take place. The oldReindeer, which is shown on Cary’s map, published in 1768, is now a private house, inhabited by CaptainMackenzie, the Forest Superintendent, and known as “Warren House.” The presentReindeeris situated about a mile distant from the old one. AnArcher shooting at a stagis also depicted on the undated halfpenny token of “John Unwin at Layton Stone.”
It is in every way probable that the fallow deer, formerly living in the surrounding forests of Epping and Hainault, and still existing in considerable numbers in the former, gave rise in some way to these numerous cervine signs in and around the parish of Buckhurst Hill. It is, however, a moot point whence the parish derived its name. Some connect the name with Lord Buckhurst, a favourite of Queen Elizabeth; others regard it as composed of two Anglo-Saxon words,Boc, a beech, andhurst, a wood or forest, which is not unlikely to be the true derivation; others, however, state that this part of the forest was severed from the remainder by Royal Charter, and so termed Book-hurst, meaning book-forest; while yet others consider the name to mean Buckhurst, the wood or forest in which bucks lived. The latter derivation seems in every way the most likely one. Nevertheless, the place was formerly often called “Buckit’s Hill,” as, for instance, inThe Trial of John Swan and Elizabeth Jeffries(p. 8), published in 1752, but this was probably a corruption. The farthing of “William Locken in Tollsbvry in Esex, 1668,” bore aStag, and that of “John Attewell in Black Notle in Esex, 1670,” boreThree Stags’ Headscouped, probably taken from the coat of arms of some private family. TheStag’s Headat Colchester is also, probably, a form of some family crest. Forty years ago there was aDoe Innat Halstead. There is now aStagat Hatfield Heath, and another at Little Easton. Concerning the latter, there can be very little doubt that it represents the crest of the Maynard family (a stag statant or). It would be interesting to learn whether this house has come to be known as theStagafter having first been called theMaynard Arms. TheStagalso serves as a beer-house sign at High Ongar. It is not very easy to say what first led to theReindeerbeing used as a sign; but that it was in use as early as the
Image not available: CROWN HOUSE. (Newport, Essex.)CROWN HOUSE.(Newport, Essex.)
seventeenth century is clear from what Pepys says in hisDiary. He tells us that on the night of October 7, 1667, he “lay very well” at the “Rayne-deere at Bishop Stafford” (meaning Bishops Stortford), where the sign is still in existence. The same sign also occurs at Takeley, Black Notley, and (as already mentioned) Buckhurst Hill, having been probably set up at the latter place in order to keep company with the other kinds of deer that are found there. TheReindeerat Takeley has been in existence since 1786 at least, as it is mentioned in theChelmsford Chronicleon January 20th in that year. At Greenstead, near Colchester, there is to be seen the sign of theBuck’s Horns, which is very likely intended to represent the deer’s “attires” in somebody’s coat of arms. The sign is not mentioned by Larwood and Hotten. TheHornsat Barking Side may have had the same origin, or the house may have taken its sign from the noted tavern of the same name which formerly existed in Fleet Street. The residence at Newport, now commonly known as the Crown House (from the crown sculptured over the door), or Nell Gwynne’s House, used formerly to be an inn. Its presentnames have been given to it within living memory. Mr. C. K. Probert states[49]that in the time of his father, eighty or ninety years ago, there was a tradition still lingering in the town that the inn was formerly known as theHorns, and that Charles II., The Duke of York, and Nell Gwynne used to stop there on their way from London to Newmarket races. This circumstance is alluded to in an old folio history of the Rye House Plot, and Mr. Probert has seen a play, printed about seventy years ago, in which the scene was laid at theHornsat Newport, the characters being Charles II., Nell Gwynne, the Duke of York, &c. Mr. Probert writes:
“Tradition says they used to come with packhorses by the Great North Road,viâRickling and the lane near Wicken Bonhunt, still called ‘London Lane;’ then along the ancient road at the foot of Bury Field in Newport; then along the back of the Burywater House, and so emerging opposite the Crown House.”
“Tradition says they used to come with packhorses by the Great North Road,viâRickling and the lane near Wicken Bonhunt, still called ‘London Lane;’ then along the ancient road at the foot of Bury Field in Newport; then along the back of the Burywater House, and so emerging opposite the Crown House.”
TheHornHotel in the High Street at Braintree is a well-known old coaching inn, and has long been one of the best in the town. If the late Mr. Joseph Strutt is to be believed, this house, at the beginning of the present century, was known as theBugle Horn. In his Essex and Herts romance, entitledQueenhoo Hall, published in 1808, the hero relates (ii. p. 180) that “we took some dinner at the Bugle Horn at Braintree, and proceeded in the afternoon to Dunmow, where we arrived before sunset.” In any case, this sign, like that of theHorn and Horseshoesat Harlow Common, is probably connected with the old coaching days. The sound of the horn and of the horses’ shoes would be the first intimation of the approach of a stage-coach. The latter sign, however, may have some heraldic significance, as Larwood and Hotten mention a London token of 1666 on which a horseshoe is represented within a pair of antlers ordeer’s attires. In 1789, too, it seems to have been theHorns and Horseshoes. TheBugle Hornmight easily be connected either with coaching, hunting, or heraldry, were it not situated in Barrack Street, *Colchester. This, of course, makes it in every way probable that it is a military sign. Here, also, must be noticed the popular sign oftheWhite Hart. This device appears to be unusually common in the county of Essex. Nearly every town or village of any consequence possesses an example. At present we have no less than fifty, and twenty years ago the number was exactly the same. London itself cannot boast of having more, as it has also just fifty examples of the sign. TheWhite Hartin the High Street at Brentwood is in all respects the most notable house now displaying this sign in Essex. In its best days it was a coaching inn of great importance, and is still by far the best hotel in the town. Mr. H. W. King has ascertained that it was in existence under its present name in the time of Queen Elizabeth; but, looking at the house itself, he believes it to be of still earlier date, perhaps of the fifteenth century, or even earlier. It is certainly one of the very best examples of an old-fashioned inn, with a central courtyard and galleries running round it, now remaining in England. It is mentioned in theChelmsford Chroniclefor September 14, 1764, as a stopping-place for the coaches “which set out on Monday the 27th instant at 7 o’clock in the morning from the Black Bull in Bishopsgate, London, and at the same time from the Great White Horse Inn[50]in Ipswich, and continue every day (Sunday excepted) to be at the above places the same evening at 5 o’clock. Each passenger to pay 3 pence per mile and to be allowed 18 pounds luggage,” &c.
During the reign of Elizabeth theWhite Hartwas also the principal inn in the town of Saffron Walden, but it is not now known in what street the house was situated. Possibly the inn now known as theHoops, in King Street, was theWhite Hartof those days, as it is a very ancient structure. Boyne describes a farthing bearing theGrocers’ Arms, and issued by “Anne Mathews, in Safforn Walden, 1656.” Mr. H. Ecroyd Smith has ascertained, from the registers in the church, that a few years later she married John Potter of theWhite Hart, and also that they thereupon jointly issued fresh tokens, retaining her name, arms, and date on the obverse, but having a new reverse, bearing the words “JohnPotter,” and in the centre ahart lodgedwith the monogram “I.A.P.” over it, perhaps to indicate that they continued to carry on their two trades simultaneously. On the 25th of February, 1659, Pepys says in hisDiary: “Mr. Blayton and I took horse, and straight to Saffron Walden, where, at the White Hart, we set up our horses, and took the master of the house [in all probability the aforesaid John Potter] to show us Audly End House.” References to this inn occur early on in the records of the Corporation of Walden. Thus, in 1627, 14s. was expended “for wine when the Earl of Sussex was at the White Hart;” in 1631, 9s. was “spent at the White Hart when we ourselves did ring for the king;” in 1643, 2s. 10d. was “payd at the White Hart when Radcliffe was taken for a Jesuit;” and in 1661, the sum of 3s. 4d. was “spent at the White Hart when the ryot was, some of the company being there.” TheWhite Harton a sign-board at Boreham is correctly and heraldically represented, but has evidently, in the mind of the artist, been associated with the deer in Boreham Park, as a view of Boreham House has been introduced in the background. TheWhite Hartat Great Yeldham is a very ancient village hostel. Its windows, and its exterior generally, are quaint and antique. In front of the inn, on each side of the door, are old oaken settles, whereon the village sages debate the topics of the day. From the sign-board on the Green opposite, the white hart has long since departed. TheWhite Hartin Tindal Street, *Chelmsford, has a new and large graven sign, heraldically represented, and prominently projected over the street. TheWhite Hartat *Witham, too, has a large and rather grotesque sign, though it is correctly represented. It is rudely cut out of what appears to be a thin sheet of iron, and is suspended over the pavement. TheWhite Hartat *Coggeshall—doubtless the existing hotel—is mentioned inBufton’s Diaryin 1678.[51]It is also recorded inBufton’s Diary[52]that “In April, 1682, there was yefloore of a Chamber fell downey at yeWhite Hartat Bocking [probably the still existing Hotel of thatname], where yeJustices sat and about 200 people in yeroome, and one man broke his leg.” In an early number of theGentleman’s Magazineis an illustration of an old inscribed beam from theWhite Hartbetween Springfield and Boreham. Mr. J. A. Repton in a note says that the building was thought to have been a hermitage. He adds: “There is a long inscription at the bottom of one of the gables, but it is at present concealed with plaster;” “that the beam measured 52 inches by seven; and that it bore the inscription, ‘Jesus! Mercy! Lady help! Jesus!’ ” Taylor, in hisCatalogue of Tavernes, mentions aWhite Hartat *Romford in 1636, probably the hotel of that name still existing there. An inn with this sign at Colchester is mentioned in one of the old Corporation records, dated 1603, as being an “auncyent inne” at that time. In old deeds Mr. H. W. King finds mention of aWhite Hart—either inn, shop, or tenement—at Horndon-on-the-Hill in both 1704 and 1719. There does not seem to be any apparent reason why the white hart should have become so common a device as a sign as it has done. According to Larwood and Hotten, its use dates from a very remote period; but there can be very little doubt that its present abundance is due to the fact thata White Hart lodged, collared and chained or, was the favourite badge of King Richard II., and appears, with variations, no less than eighty-three times upon his monument at Westminster. At a tournament held in Smithfield in 1390, in honour of various foreign counts who had been elected members of the garter—
“All the kynges house were of one sute; theyr cotys, theyr armys, theyr sheldes, and theyr trappours were bowdrid all with whyte hertys, with crownes of gold about their neck, and cheyns of gold hanging thereon, which hertys was the kinges leverye that he gaf to lordes, ladyes, knyghtes and squyers, to know his household people from others.”
“All the kynges house were of one sute; theyr cotys, theyr armys, theyr sheldes, and theyr trappours were bowdrid all with whyte hertys, with crownes of gold about their neck, and cheyns of gold hanging thereon, which hertys was the kinges leverye that he gaf to lordes, ladyes, knyghtes and squyers, to know his household people from others.”
The White Hart was also used as a badge by Edward IV. It is just possible that the fact of the crest of the Maynard family being a stag, as already mentioned, has something to do with the abundance of theWhite Hartas a sign in Essex, or at least in the northern parts of the county. It ispossible, too, that the abundance of this sign in Essex may be due in part to the fact that a very ancient and famousWhite Hartformerly stood in Bishopsgate Street Without, in such a position that it would probably form a stopping-place for most travellers to and from London along the Great East Road. Timbs, in hisClubs and Club-life in London(p. 397), says that it was originally built in 1480, but the old house was pulled down and rebuilt in modern style in 1829. Allusion has already been made (p. 25) to an absurd corruption of this sign at West Bergholt, where the landlord of theWhite Hart, not content with a script sign, has added a pictorial one of his own designing, representing a largeWhite Hearton a black ground! Whether this has been done through ignorance or intent, it is a good example of the way signs become corrupted and altered in the course of time. Illustrations of both forms are given above.
Image not available: THE WHITE HART (Heart). (At West Bergholt.)THE WHITE HART (Heart).THE WHITE HART.(At West Bergholt.)
The horse and his belongings are referred to no less than seventy-three times on Essex sign-boards, although a simple horse does not once occur. The use of the horse as a sign is probably derived both from the animal himself and from the part he anciently played in Heraldry. Horses of fantasticcolour, such as theGolden Horseat Forest Gate, are, in all probability, of heraldic origin. No less than thirty-six times in this county do we meet with the sign of theWhite Horse, and there is anOld White Horseat North Ockendon. Boyne describes tokens issued by “John Tvrner at the White Horse in Chelmsford, 1667,” and by “John Langston at the Whit Horse in Mvchboddow.”White Horsesare still in existence at both of these places. There can be no doubt that the one at Great Baddow is the one from which the token was issued in the seventeenth century; but in the case of Chelmsford there is some doubt. The matter is not without interest, for there is in the British Museum a scarce and curious quarto tract, of twenty-one pages, published in the year 1688, with the following title: “A True Relation of a Horrid Murder, committed upon the person of Thomas Kidderminster of Tupsley in the County of Hereford, Gent., at the White Horse Inn in Chelmsford, in the County of Essex, in the Month of April, 1654, together with a True Account of the Strange and Providential Discovery of the Same nine years after, &c., &c.” In this tract one Mr. Turner (without doubt the man who issued the token in 1667) is many times mentioned as landlord at the time the murder was discovered. Forty years ago theWhite Horseat Dovercourt styled itself theGreat White Horse. TheWhite Horsein the High Street, Maldon, is several times referred to in advertisements in theChelmsford Chronicleduring the year 1786. Likely origins for this sign have already been given (p. 18). TheFlying Dutchman, which is a beer-house sign at Braintree, probably commemorates the racehorse of that name. There areBlack Horsesat White Roothing, Widdington, Sible Hedingham, Pilgrim’s Hatch, and Chelmsford (beer-house). Sixty years ago there was another at *Coggeshall. There are alsoYorkshire Greysat Coggeshall (at least forty years old), Stratford (two), and Brentwood. Probably these are named after some famous racer. One or other of those at *Stratford is several times referred to in theTrials of John Swan and Elizabeth Jeffries(1752). It was then kept by a certain Ann Wright. Sixty years since, too, therewas another at *Colchester. Adjoining the racecourse at Galleywood there is aRunning Mare. TheNag’s Headis a sign which seems to be becoming increasingly common, as we have five now existing in the county, not counting a beer-house so called at Chelmsford, though, twenty years ago, there were only three. The sign of theThree Colts, which occurs at Stanstead Montfitchet and Buckhurst Hill, has very likely an heraldic origin. It is not a modern device, as there was an inn of this name in Bride Lane, London, in 1652, and our houses may have taken their name from this one. AHorsepassantis depicted on the farthing token of “Ioseph Gleson,” 1664, and aHorse Gallopingon that of “Samvell Salter,” 1656, both of Dedham. In Essex the horse enters into many combinations with other sign-board objects. In most cases the meaning of the combination is so evident that no explanation of it is required. For instance, at Colchester we find aChaise and Pair, at Stratford aCart and Horses, at Mistley aWaggon and Horses, and another at *Colchester. There are also beer-houses so called at Braintree and Hadleigh. TheCoach and Horsesoccurs no less than thirteen times, theOld Coach and Horsesonce, theHorse and Groomseven times, and theHorse and Wheelonce. This latter is, however, a misprint on the part of the compilers of thePost Office Directory. Twenty years ago it appeared in the list as theHorse and Well, and as the house is situated at Woodford Wells, this is undoubtedly its correct form. The sign is not mentioned by Larwood and Hotten. That part of Woodford known as Woodford Wells, takes its name from a mineral spring which once existed there. It was formerly in great repute, but is now quite dry and neglected. AnItinerary of Twenty-five Miles round London, published towards the end of last century, and quoted by Mr. Walford inGreater London(vol. i. p. 464), indicates that the name of the house was then theHorse and Groom. The adjoining mineral spring, says the author, “was formerly in good repute, and much company resorted to drink the waters at a house of public entertainment called ‘Woodford Wells;’ but the waters have long lost theirreputation.” Hood, in his witty poem on the Epping Hunt, refers to the house as follows:
“Now many a sign at Woodford Town,Its Inn-vitation tells;But Huggins, full of ills, of course,Betook him to theWells.”
“Now many a sign at Woodford Town,Its Inn-vitation tells;But Huggins, full of ills, of course,Betook him to theWells.”
“Now many a sign at Woodford Town,Its Inn-vitation tells;But Huggins, full of ills, of course,Betook him to theWells.”
TheHorse and Groomat Great Warley seems to be at least a century old, as it is mentioned in theChelmsford Chronicleon March 10, 1786. At Margaret Roothing there is aHorseshoe, which is a comparatively rare sign by itself. TheBull and Horseshoeat North Weald is, doubtless, merely an impaled sign. Our threeHorseshoesand tenThree Horseshoeshave already been referred to (p. 40). At Finchingfield there is a beer-house with the sign of theKicking Dickey, and theCross Keysat Roxwell is commonly known in the parish by the same name. The origin of the sign, which Larwood and Hotten do not mention, is hard to explain.
The Lion, with frequent variations of colour and position, is of common occurrence in the county. This great variety in colouring clearly shows that we are indebted to the art of Heraldry for most of our sign-board lions. Messrs. Larwood and Hotten say (p. 118): “Thelion rampantmost frequently occurs, although in late years naturalism has crept in, and theFelis leois often represented standing or crouching, quite regardless of his heraldic origin.”
When it is remembered thatthree lions passant, guardant, oroccur on the Royal Arms of England, and alion rampant guleson the arms of Scotland; that acrowned lion statant, guardant oris used as the Royal Crest of England, acrowned lion sejant affrontée gulesas the Royal Crest of Scotland, and alion rampant guardant, oras the dexter supporter of the Royal Arms of England; and that lions of various colours and in different attitudes have served as charges, badges, crests, and supporters to many of our earlier sovereigns, and now appear in the armorial bearings of innumerable private families, it will not be found in any way surprising that the lion figures so commonly as he does upon our sign-boards.So frequently, indeed, are lions made use of in Heraldry that it is almost impossible to assign the variously-coloured examples now to be seen on our sign-boards to their original wearers.Lions rampantappear on the trade-tokens of John Rayment of Brentwood, in 1669, and of Richard Boyse and Richard Rich, both of Colchester, in 1668 and 1656 respectively. At present the animal occurs eight times in Essex as a simpleLion, and once as aBritish Lion. TheLionat Chelmsford, although it has now disappeared, was once evidently a very important inn. The Rev. R. E. Bartlett finds several mentions of it in the parish registers, the earliest before the middle of the sixteenth century. They are as follows: “1543. William Knight, a stranger, who by misfortune and his own lewdness was drowned at the Lion, and was buried the 22nd of May.” Again, in 1545, “Wyllyam Pemberton, servaunte to the Irle of Essex, was slayne at the Lion by one of his Fellows and bury’d the 19th Day of Januarii.” From the first of these it appears that the inn was near the river. Taylor, in hisCatalogue of Tavernes, also mentions theLionas one of the chief inns in Chelmsford in 1636. Whether this was the same inn afterwards known as theWhite Lion, and mentioned in theChelmsford Chronicleon April 14, 1786, as then existing at Chelmsford, is hard to say. Possibly the latter house was identical with that shown with the sign of a rampant lion in the frontispiece. Its back premises would probably abut upon the river bank. The site is now occupied by an inn with the sign of theQueen’s Arms. TheGolden Lion, if it does not represent the true “lion of England,” may represent thelion passant, guardant, orwhich appears on the arms of the Haberdashers’ Company.[53]The sign now occurs at Prittlewell, *Chelmsford, *Romford, and Rayleigh. There are also beer-shops so-called at Braintree, Hatfield Peverell, Rochford, and elsewhere. TheGolden Lionat Rayleigh is mentioned in theChelmsford Chroniclefor February 24, 1786. Sixty years ago another house ofthis name existed. AGolden Lionat Harwich in 1764 is also mentioned in theChelmsford Chroniclefor that year. The sign of theBlue Lionoccurs at Galleywood and at Great Baddow. Larwood and Hotten think that it “may possibly have been first put up at the marriage of James I. with Anne of Denmark.” There can, however, be very little doubt that in Essex this sign represents the arms of the Mildmay family,[54]which was once of very great influence in the county. At the time of James I. there were nine several families of this name possessed of very large estates in the county, the heads of eight of them being knights. Our nineWhite Lionsperhaps represent the badge of Edward IV., though the Dukes of Norfolk, the Earls of Surrey, and other prominent personages have also bornelions argent. Forty years since anOld White Lionexisted at Epping, being probably the *White Lionwhich lived there in 1789 (p. 7). As he has now disappeared, it is only natural to suppose that he has died of old age. The sign-board of the existing house at Epping is fully pictorial. TheWhite Lionat Waltham Abbey is mentioned in the parish registers in July, 1746, when W. Chesson (presumably the landlord) was buried.Black Lionsare to be seen at Plaistow, Stisted, Althorne, Layer Marney, High Roothing, and *Epping. At the last-mentioned place two houses of this name existed forty years ago, one of which has existed since 1789, at least. According to advertisements in the issues of theChelmsford Chroniclefor February 10 and April 14, 1786, aBlack Lionthen existed at Braintree; but, unless identical with theLion and LamborWhite Lion, still in existence there, it has now disappeared. Larwood and Hotten say (p. 120), “TheBlack Lionis somewhat uncommon; it may have been derived from the coat of arms of Queen Philippa of Hainault, wife of Edward III.,” or it may represent thelion sablein the arms of Owen Glendower. TheRed Lionis, however, by far our commonest leonine sign in Essex. It occurs as many as thirty-four times. The authorsso frequently quoted, say (p. 119) that it doubtless originated in the badge of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who bore the lion of Leon and Castille on his arms as a token of his claim to the throne of those countries. In after years it may often have been used to represent the lion of Scotland. TheRed Lion, opposite the church at Stambourne, has a truly heraldic sign—a lion, rampant, gules, armed, langued, &c., argent, on a wreath argent and sable. On one of its gables this inn has two designs—one representing an old man with long white hair, wearing a large green coat and boots of the same colour, and apparently blowing a long horn or trumpet; the other a monogram “I.W.E.” and the date 1709. This may indicate that it was formerly known as theGreen Man. TheRed Lionat *Colchester is a very well-known house. Like theWhite Hartat Brentwood, it is one of the few examples now remaining in the county of the old-fashioned inn of several centuries ago. Its capacious courtyard has evidently once been galleried, and it is altogether one of the most ancient inns now existing in Colchester, or even in the county, as well as being certainly one of the most quaint and antique in its appearance. Its uppermost story considerably overhangs the others, and the whole of the front shows much old carving which is certainly not later than the fifteenth, and probably the fourteenth, century, to which has been added some good modern work. Probably if the plaster were removed much more old carving would be brought to light. Among other faces, are those of two lions, which look down upon the entrance. The doorway is also carved. Miss L. S. Costello, in an article on Colchester inBentley’s Miscellanyfor 1840 (vol. xviii. p. 62), says, that among the few interesting houses in the High Street, she “was struck with a wooden doorway at the entrance of the [Red]Lion Inn. It has evidently been elaborately carved on the different storeys all over, but very little of its ornament remains. The spandrels of the arch have a representation, on one side, of a dragon, huge and grim, and on the other of a knight on foot, with an immensely long spear, tilting at the monster.” An entry, dated Jan. 9, 1603-4, in one ofthe old Corporation assembly books, states that “the Lion, the Angel, and the White Hart were appointed the only three wine taverns in yetowne, being auncyent Innes and Taverns.” Mr. Chas. Golding of Colchester has, however, traced its existence back many years earlier, having found mention of it under its present name in the Corporation records of the year 1530 or thereabouts. The still-extantRed Lionsat Great Wakering and Ilford are referred to in advertisements in theChelmsford Chronicleon Jan. 20 and 27, 1786, respectively. The latter was a posting-house of great importance in the days when coaching was at its height; but, like its neighbour, theAngel(another house once of considerable fame), it has now sunk into comparative insignificance, though still quite one of the leading inns of the district. It is a large, massive square brick building, before which on the top of the sign-post reposes a graven representation of a Red Lioncouchant. TheRed Lionat Waltham Abbey is referred to in the parish registers in 1644, when 1s. 8d. was “given to the woman that lay in at the Reed Lyon.” Capt. Andrew Hamilton has given[55]an interesting account of an old house at Kelvedon, formerly known as theRed LionInn. It is now converted into four good-sized tenements, and is known as Knight Templars Terrace, from a tradition that the inn once belonged to that fraternity. In its day it was probably the most considerable inn in Kelvedon, and the largest on the main road between Chelmsford and Colchester. It was certainly built before the year 1420, and is now an excellent example of a half-timbered house of that date. Until lately, however, the original work has been hidden by no less than two false fronts of lath and plaster of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries respectively. Capt. Hamilton describes in detail both the internal and external construction of this singularly interesting house, but his remarks are too lengthy to quote here. Opposite to it stood theAngel.
TheRed Lionat Abberton figures in the Rev. S. Baring-Gould’sMehalah. TheRed Lionat Springfield isan extremely ferocious one, if one may judge from the appearance of his effigy, which is rudely cut out of a thin sheet of iron, painted red, and placed upon the top of the beer-house to which he serves as a sign. ARed Lionat Radwinter (perhaps the existingLion) finds mention in theChelmsford Chronicleon January 20, 1786. TheLion and Boarat Earls Colne may represent the lion and boar which sometimes appear as the supporters of the arms of King Richard III., or it may simply be an impaled sign. The sign is not mentioned by Larwood and Hotten. TheLion and Keyat Leyton is a sign of somewhat obscure origin. It is not a modern invention, as there was a house of the same name near Lion’s Quay, London, in 1653. Our house, which is over forty years old, and was formerly a blacksmith’s shop, may have taken its sign from this one, or it may have derived its name independently from the popular version of some family crest. This is rendered extremely likely from the fact (supplied by the present landlord, who, however, is unable to give any further information as to the sign) that among the old property taken with the house is a punch-bowl bearing the heraldic device of a lion rampant, its paw resting upon the ring of an upright key, and dated either 1756 or 1786. Whose this crest is, it is hard to say. The Rev. H. L. Elliot has ascertained that it is not included among those inThe Book of Family Crests, although the family of Lyngard of Northants borea lion sejant guardant sable, in the dexter fore paw a key in pale or; while the families of Knox, Criall, and Chamberlain had crests with a demi-lion holding a key. The very common sign of theLion and Lambis now met with at Braintree, Stratford, Takeley, Chelmsford, and Brentwood, although, twenty years ago, the county only contained three examples. At the last-named place the sign seems to have existed since 1786 at least, as it is mentioned in theChelmsford Chronicleon March 17th in that year. At *Chelmsford aLion and Lambcarved in stone repose peacefully upon the parapet of the building, while a newly-painted sign-board, very well designed, depicts them in the same attitude. The fact of the name containing analliteration has, no doubt, had something to do with its adoption; but it is also an emblematic representation of the Millennium, when (as Larwood and Hotten say) “the lion shall lie down by the kid.” Those gentlemen, however, together with all who use the sign, appear to be a little at fault in their knowledge of Scripture. The passage describing the “Millennium” (Isaiah xi. 6) says nothing about a lion lying down, either with a lamb or a kid. It runs as follows: “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together.” The sign first came into use over two centuries ago. In connection with this sign there is an amusing tale, which is worth repeating, told of a sceptical American. When the significance of the sign was explained to him, he remarked that the state of things depicted might possibly come to pass some time, but that, when it did, he “guessed that there Lamb would be inside that there Lion!”
Bovine signs are very frequently to be seen upon our Essex sign-boards. The simple sign of theBullis the commonest device, occurring no less than twenty-two times. Its intimate connection with Christmas beef, heraldry, and bull-baiting is sufficient to account for the frequent appearance of this animal on the sign-board. About seventy years ago theBullInn, Whitechapel, was the resort of the Essex farmers, who came to London once a week to dispose of their corn, &c. The landlord, named Johnson, who was formerly “boots” at this inn, being in good credit with his customers, they occasionally left their samples with him, and he acted as a middle man so much to their satisfaction, that he shortly after opened an office upon Bear Quay, styling himself “Factor of the Essex Farmers.” The business ultimately grew to one of great extent. In old deeds Mr. King finds mention of aBull—either shop, inn, or dwelling-house—at Billericay as early as 1616, also of another house with the same sign at Hockley early in the seventeenth century. Taylor, in hisCatalogue of Tavernes, mentions aBull(probably the existing inn of that name) at Barking in 1636, and another at Brook Street, where also there is a still existing Bull.TheBlack Bullappears at Fyfield, Chelmsford, Margaretting, and Old Sampford, while anOld Black Bulloccurs at Stratford. Very probably these two signs owe their existence to the fact that abull sableformed one of the badges, as well as the sinister supporter of the arms, of Edward IV. In 1662 there was aBlack BullInn at Romford, as appears from a mention made of it in theAccount of the Murder of Thomas Kidderminster, already referred to. In 1789 there were other examples of theBlack Bullat Loughton and Harlow, and that at Fyfield was then existing. Sixty years ago there was also one at Grays. On the map of the road between London and Harwich, given in Ogilby’sItinerarium Angliæ, published in 1675, “YeBull Inn”—evidently a house of some importance—is shown about midway between Ingatestone and Widford. In theTraveller’s Guide, a smaller edition of the same work, published in 1699, the same house figures as theBlack BullInn. Probably this is the still existingBlack Bullat Margaretting. TheBull and Crown, which has been in existence at Chingford for at least forty years past, may be simply an impaled sign, or it may (like the last sign spoken of) be derived from the black bull of Edward IV., or from the white bull used as a supporter by Henry VIII. In either case the bull would probably be crowned. This device is not referred to in theHistory of Sign-boards, nor is that of theBull and Horseshoe, which occurs at North Weald. It is probably only an impaled sign. TheBull’s Head, to be seen at Loughton, is, as already stated (p. 34), probably taken from the arms of the Butchers’ Company. There was once a famousBullInn at Newport. It has now disappeared, having, it is said, been compelled to close owing to the opening of theHerculesjust opposite; but there are old folks still living who can recollect the shields of arms in coloured glass in the windows, and the “Bull Orchard” still remains. The house is mentioned in the Corporation records of Saffron Walden for the year 1734. Cole also, in his MSS., speaks of it by the name of theRed Bull(a rather uncommon sign, of which Essex does not now possess an example). The sign,however, seems to have undergone a change of colour, for it is referred to as theBlack BullinPoor Robin’s Perambulation from Saffron Walden to London, performed this month of July, 1678.[56]The author says: