CHAPTER IV.ORNITHOLOGICAL SIGNS.

“When I was a boy, there stood by the roadside, about two miles west of Romford, at the east end of the long straggling village of Chadwell Heath, and on the left hand going from London, a tremendous pair of bones, forming an arch. The bases were deeply rooted in the earth, but even then the space spanned was considerable. Near by was a toll-house, with its bar, known from the adjacent relic as ‘Whalebone Gate.’ I think, too, if I remember rightly, there stood near the spot a road-sideinn called by the sign of ‘theWhalebone.’ My father, an Essex man, long since dead, used to tell me that he had it from his grandfather, that the bone was the upper [should be lower] jaw of an immense whale, which had been cast ashore about three miles to the south of the spot, on the north bank of the Thames, at Dagenham, while the Great Storm was raging on the night that Oliver Cromwell died. In course of time, toll on suburban roads was abolished; the toll-house and gate were cleared away; and the jaw was appropriated to serve as an entrance arch to the front garden of a neighbouring suburban villa—the rural residence, I believe, of a Whitechapel pork-butcher—an edifice known, and still indicated on suburban maps of a tolerably modern date, as ‘Whalebone House.’ ... What became of the worthy tradesman I have above alluded to, I do not know. Probably his house is still standing, but I am unable to identify it now by its former title or peculiar gate. I am under the impression that what remains of the relic has been transferred to its original site; for I was past the spot where, so far as my memory serves me, it formerly stood, on July 25th in this year. Half the arch (i.e., one bone) stood upright, still deeply rooted in the earth, but alone, forgotten and deserted, by the side of the high road in a fallow field. No one in the neighbourhood seemed to know anything about it or its history.”

To this, Mr. J. A. Sparvel-Bayly, of Billericay, wrote (1879, p. 58):—

“In the little village of East Tilbury in Essex, situate on the banks of the Thames, and not far from Romford, is a house known as ‘Whalebone Cottage,’ in front of which is an arch composed of the jawbones of a huge whale. From their weather-worn appearance they may possibly have belonged to that alluded to by S. P.”

In reply to this, Mr. W. Phillips (p. 338) stated that—

“The jawbones spoken of by Mr. Sparvel-Bayly as being at East Tilbury, ‘not far from Romford’ (it is twelve miles from Romford as the crow flies), cannot be identical with those mentioned by S. P., whose account I can corroborate, so far as knowing the jawbones he mentions, forty years ago, when travelling on the box-seat of the old Colchester Coach alongside a coachman of the Mr. Weller sort, of some sixty-five summers. The two bones were then in existence on the north side of the road near the tenth milestone, and two miles the London side of Romford, in front of a roadside public-house with the sign of the ‘Whalebone,’ which my coachman said used to be the resort of the many highwaymen that once infested Chadwell Heath close by. He spoke of his being told when a boy that the bones had been there from the time of Cromwell.”

From the foregoing, it is clear that there were formerlytwopairs of bones set up near together; indeed, Mr. J. Perry distinctly says there were. One pair has now entirely disappeared. The other pair still stand (although S. P. seems to have overlooked them), as described, over the entrance of an adjoining house, known to this day as “WhaleboneHouse” or “Lodge,” and marked as such in local directories. There is also in the immediate vicinity a “Whalebone Farm,” as well as a “Whalebone Lane.” The bones (of which an illustration is here given) are of the following dimensions:—

Image not available: GATEWAY AT WHALEBONE HOUSE. (Chadwell Heath.)GATEWAY AT WHALEBONE HOUSE.(Chadwell Heath.)

If, as seems probable, the bones are those of the Greenland whale (Balœna mysticetus), it is extremely unlikely that the creature which owned them was ever stranded in the Thames. The following letter from Prof. W. H. Flower, F.R.S., is of much interest. He says—

“Pairs of the lower jawbones of the Greenland whale, erected usually as gate-posts, occur in many parts of the eastern counties, especially in the neighbourhood of the old whaling-ports—the Thames, Yarmouth, Hull, Whitby, &c. They have all been brought from the Arctic Seas by whalers, at any time since 1611, when the first ships left England for the Spitzbergen whaling, which (with the Baffin’s Bay whaling) has been carried on with more or less success ever since, though now confined to Peterhead and Dundee. I very much doubt Defoe’s ‘28 feet long.’ Twenty feet, following the curve, is the maximum of the Greenland whale, and no other whale has such large jaws. I also doubt the story of the creature being stranded, because, if so, it cannot have been a Greenland whale—a species which never visits our shores.”

Larwood and Hotten, in common with nearly all heraldic writers, innocently treat of whales and dolphins asfishes, asthey were commonly supposed to be in the Middle Ages. A writer inAll the Year Round, so lately as the year 1879, commits the same absurd error.

It will here be necessary to ask pardon of modern men of science for discussing, under the heading “Zoology,” certain monstrous beasts which, though unknown to us in these enlightened times, were accredited with a material existence by the ancient heralds, and others who wrote in the dark days of several centuries ago. Such imaginary creatures as dragons, griffins, unicorns, and the like, are, of course, here referred to.

Image not available: DRAGON.DRAGON.

TheDragonin his own proper colour (whatever that may be) does not occur in the county; but we have four examples of theGreen Dragon, situated respectively at Shenfield, Black Notley, *Saffron Walden, and Waltham Abbey. Sixty years ago there were alsoGreen Dragonsat *Colchester and elsewhere. It is very easy to account for the origin of the use of the Dragon as a sign, but it is not so easy to say why he should so often be green. TheGreen Dragon, however, has been a common sign for over two centuries. As the badge and supporter of the arms of many of our sovereigns, he was generally red, though occasionally black or golden. The Dragon appeared on the standard of the Saxons, and was used as a badge by several early Princes of Wales. It formed one or other of the supporters of the arms of Henry VII., and of all the Tudor sovereigns except Queen Mary. It appears also in the heraldic bearings of many private families. There can, therefore, be very little doubt as to its heraldic derivation, although it was formerly used as a chemist’s sign, in which case its origin was probably non-heraldic. Perhaps, as the Rev. H. L. Elliot writes, the strange colour in which this monster usually appears on sign-boards is due to the fact that a Green Dragon, holding in his mouth a bloody hand, was a badge of William Herbert, Lord Steward, created Earl of Pembroke in the time of Edward VI. TheGeorge and Dragonis a sign which occurs eight times in Essex.This very common sign has increased greatly in popularity since the institution of the Order of the Garter, of which a representation of St. George killing a dragon forms the pendant; but the fact that several of our recent kings have borne the name of George has no doubt had a good deal to do with its adoption. The legendary act of St. George, the patron-saint of England, is alluded to in the following amusing little rhyme:—

“To save a mayd, St. George the Dragon slew—A pretty tale, if all that’s told be true.Most say there are no dragons, and ’tis saydThere was no George;—let’s hope there was a mayd.”

A representation of St. George killing the Dragon appears on the token issued by J. Lark of Coggeshall in 1667.[69]

There are also in Essex three examples of the sign of theGriffin, situated respectively at Great Canfield, Halstead, and Danbury. TheGriffinat Danbury, an ancient and well-known inn, is mentioned in theChelmsford Chronicleon May 9, 1788. It is also several times prominently alluded to (ii. p. 174, iii. pp. 130 and 144, and iv. p. 66) in Mr. Joseph Strutt’s Essex and Herts Romance ofQueenhoo Hall, published in 1808. Although in former ages people firmly believed in the existence of griffins, the animal has never yet been seen except in Heraldry. Consequently it is only natural to assign the origin of its use as a sign to that art; but griffins appear upon the escutcheons of so many families that it is now quite impossible to say in whose honour it made its first appearance upon the sign-board.

Image not available: GRIFFIN.GRIFFIN.

TheUnicornappears as a public-house sign at West Ham and at Romford. At the latter place the house is situated in Hare Street, and is at least a century old, as it is mentioned in theChelmsford Chroniclefor March 2, 1787. Aunicorn rampantis depicted on the farthing tokens of William Alldred of Colchester, and aunicorn passanton those of “Will. Anger of Mvch Clafton [? Clacton] in Esex, 1654.” The original use of theUnicornas an inn-sign may be attributed to the fact that it was formerly a common chemist’s sign, and is one of the supporters of the arms of the Apothecaries’ Company, or to the fact that it now forms the sinister supporter of the Royal Arms. Much interesting information as to the ancient belief in its existence, and the power of its horn as an antidote to all poison, is given in theHistory of Sign-boards.

ORNITHOLOGICAL signs stand next in turn for notice. They are fairly numerous, and many are of strictly heraldic derivation.

Image not available: SPREAD EAGLE.SPREAD EAGLE.

The Eagle appears in one form or another on nineteen Essex sign-boards. On seven occasions a simpleEagleis intended. Twenty years ago, however, there were but three. Ten times the sign of theSpread Eagleoccurs, and the same device is depicted on the tokens issued by John Millbank of Colchester in 1665, and by Samuel Wall of Witham in 1668. TheSpread Eagleat Harwich, which is a house still extant, is referred to in the issue of theChelmsford Chroniclefor March 31, 1786. At Little Bardfield a carved and gildedSpread Eagleis set up on the top of a post before the inn. The sign is truly heraldic, inasmuch as the bird does not seem to require to use its legs, but stands upon its tail. In theChelmsford Chroniclefor March 2, 1787, there appears an advertisement stating that a “Main of Cocks” was to be fought on the 7th of that month at the *Spread Eaglein Prittlewell, between the Gentlemen of that place and the Gentlemen of Great Wakering. Eagles occur so frequently in Heraldry that there can be no doubt whence the sign of theEagleis derived; and the fact that the bird is, more often than not, described as “spread,” goes far to confirm its heraldic derivation. An eagle was displayed upon the ensign of the Roman emperors, and has since formed one of the chief

Image not available: EAGLE AND CHILD.EAGLE AND CHILD.

cognizances of the sovereigns of Germany, Russia, Prussia, Austria, France, &c. Edward III. bore a crowned eagle as his crest, and Henry IV. adopted a spread eagle as one of his badges. The bird is also of very frequent occurrence in the armorial bearings of private families. TheEagleat Snaresbrook is a well-known old hostelry, and is a very favourite Bank Holiday resort of “ ‘Arry and ‘Arriet” from the East End of London. TheEagle and Child, which is to be seen at Shenfield and Forest Gate, is not uncommon elsewhere, and will be at once recognized as the crest of the Stanleys, Earls of Derby, which represents an eagle carrying off a child, as told in the well-known legend,[70]and as here depicted. In a curious collection of miscellanea relating to signs formed by a Mr. G. Creed, and now preserved in the British Museum, it is stated that in the parlour of the last-named inn there is (or was in 1850) framed “a MS. bit of Doggrell,” commencing as follows:—

The Essex Flats too Knowing for the Yorkshire Sharps.

“An Essex Landlord of some fame,Whose honesty deserves a name,Near to the Forest hangs his sign,A house well known for Bowls of wine.It represents a lovely boy,Such as would give a father joy;Beside him (don’t say ’tis absurd)Stands the majestic kingly Bird,And both are named and known together,As birds are known that’s of one feather.”

The rest of the poem, which is long, does not merit reproduction. This house is marked on Jean Roque’sMap of Ten Miles round London, published in 1741. TheFalconoccurs three times, namely, at Southend, Littlebury, andWivenhoe. Twenty years ago one of these figured in the list as theNew Falcon, and sixty years since there was another in the High Street at *Braintree. A farthing token showing a bird holding a sceptre, and issued by “John Parker at the Falken in Wevenhoe,” is described by Boyne. Taylor (see p. 28) also mentions this Parker in 1636. As the sign of theFalconstill exists at Wivenhoe it is probably the same house kept more than two centuries ago by John Parker, especially as the same house is mentioned again in an advertisement in theChelmsford Chroniclefor January 13, 1786. At the end of last century there was an inn with the sign of theFalconclose against the Cross at Waltham. Two illustrations of it, published respectively in 1787 and 1791, are preserved in Mr. Creed’s collection. They show the sign-board (a pictorial one, inscribed with the name of the landlord—Sibley) suspended from a beam which extends across the road. Above this beam is hung a bunch of grapes within an iron frame, as here shown. The sign has now been altered to that of theGreat Eastern.

Image not available: FALCON. (At Waltham Cross in 1787.)FALCON.(At Waltham Cross in 1787.)

TheOld FalconInn, which formerly existed at Castle Hedingham, though now reduced to a mere beer-shop, was once evidently a very good house. Its beams and rafters are very massive, and bear the crest and badge of the Earls of Oxford, like not a few other old houses in the vicinity. The sign is probably identical with that of theHawk, whichoccurs at Battles Bridge. Its origin may have been the ancient sport of hawking; but, more probably, it has an heraldic derivation. Afalcon volantforms part of the arms of the Stationers’ Company, and it was probably adopted by booksellers on this account. Both Edward III. and Richard II. used a falcon as one of their badges, and theFalcon holding a Sceptre, which, as just mentioned, existed at Wivenhoe in the seventeenth century, was presumably derived from one of the badges of Queen Elizabeth,a falcon crowned, holding a sceptre. It is, however, by no means improbable that the particular instance of the sign of theFalconin Falcon Square, Castle Hedingham (which happens to betriangular!), may be a relic of the ancient family of the Hawkwoods, who resided in the adjoining parish of Sible Hedingham. Sir John Hawkwood, the famous soldier who became so prominent in the Italian wars of the fourteenth century, was buried in Florence, but upon the beautiful crocketted canopy of the monument erected to him in the south aisle of Sible Hedingham Church, his badge (?), a Hawk or Falcon, is carved several times, with other devices.

Image not available: WHITE SWAN. (The Badge of the De Bohuns.)WHITE SWAN.(The Badge of the De Bohuns.)

The Swan, including several variations in colour, &c., is a very common Essex sign, and appears in thirty-eight different places; while, forty or fifty years ago, it seems to have been even commoner. Thirty-two times he occurs as a simpleSwan; at Harwich he appears as aNew Swan; at Rayne and Roydon (where he is at least one hundred years old) as aBlack Swan; at Chelmsford as anOld Swan; and at Epping and West Ham as aWhite Swan. TheSwannow existing at Brentwood is, apparently, at least a century old, as it is mentioned in theChelmsford Chronicleon March 24, 1786. The fondness of the bird for liquid (though of a purer kind than that usually supplied at public-houses) is said to have been the reason for its very common adoptionas a public-house sign; but the custom is equally likely to have had an heraldic origin. Kings Henry IV. and V. both used a swan among other badges, and the same device formed part of the coat of arms of the De Bohun and other families. The annexed wood-cut of theswan proper, ducally gorged and chained or, which formed the badge of the De Bohuns, is taken from the central spandrel of the canopy of the brass in Westminster Abbey to Alianore De Bohun, Duchess of Gloucester, who died in 1399. It is also very probable that the white swan which formed the badge of the great De Mandevilles, once Earls of Essex, has had something to do with the abundance of this sign in the county. InTavern Anecdotes(p. 241) it is stated that in 1825 the landlord of the *Swanat Stratford recommended the charms of his house in the following poetic strain:—

“At the Swan Tavern kept by LoundThe best accommodation’s found,—Wine, Spirits, Porter, Bottled Beer,You’ll find in high perfection here.If in the garden with your lassYou feel inclined to take a glass,There Tea and Coffee of the bestProvided is, for every guest.And, females not to drive from hence,The charge is only fifteen pence.Or, if disposed a Pipe to smoke,To sing a song or crack a joke,You may repair across the Green,Where nought is heard, though much is seen;There laugh and drink, and smoke away,And but a moderate reckoning pay,Which is a most important objectTo every loyal British subject.In short, the best accommodation’s foundBy those who deign to visit Lound.”

In Mr. Chas. Golding’sList of Essex Tokens,[71]pieces inscribed “Abel Bond at yeWhite[Swan] in Stratford, His Halfe Penny,” and “John Chandler [aSwan] in Stratford, J. C.” are mentioned. The still-existingSwanat Baythorn End, Birdbrook, appears to be over two centuriesold. In the parish register is the following entry: “Martha Blewitt, yewife of nine husbands successively, buried eight of y^m, but last of all yewoman dy’d allsoe, was bury’d May 7th, 1681.” A slab in the Church shows that Martha Blewitt was landlady of the above inn.

In Cromwell’sExcursions through Essex(i. p. 17) it is stated that “TheSwan, a very large and famous inn, anciently stood in the road near the farm called Shakestones.” The view of Romford given in Wright’sHistory of Essex(1831, ii. p. 435) shows the graven sign of theWhite SwanInn, projecting from the front of the building exactly as it does now. It appears from an old Manor Roll[72]that in 1572 there was a “tenement called theSwan”—not necessarily an inn—in Coggeshall. The sign still exists there—namely, in East Street—though possibly not at the same house. It is, however, again mentioned in 1678 inBufton’s Diary.[73]Mr. King finds mention in ancient deeds of aSwan—either inn, shop, or tenement—at Prittlewell in 1652. In theRecords of the House of Gurney(p. 539) there is mention of “a messuage or tenement heretofore called or known by the name or sign of theSwan, situate in the parish of St. Mary, Maldon,” in the seventeenth century. Perhaps the *SwanInn still existing in the High Street is the same house. In 1678 there was aBlack Swanat or near Audley End. Poor Robin (see p. 66) mentions it in hisPerambulation from Saffron Walden to London. After his acquaintances had drunk heavily with him at theRose and Crown, Saffron Walden, whence he started, he says—

“Yet would my jovial friends on me attend,Part of my Journey unto Audley End,By them called Ninevah, but no great city,Though too much sin may be there, more’s the pity.There at the sign (of such a thing, I think,As never swam on pond or river’s brink)Of a Black Swan, I entered in.. . . . . . . . . .Yet although of this sign there’s no such thing,It was a sign there was good drink within.”

Of the well-knownOld Four Swansat Waltham Cross Mr. E. Walford, inGreater London(vol. i. p. 393), writes as follows:—

“It is undoubtedly an old building; but it is questionable whether it can properly lay claim to the antiquity that is locally assigned to it; for in it, according to tradition, the body of Queen Eleanor remained for the night preceding its solemn entry into London. Salmon considers this inn to have been the original manor-house of the honour of Richmond; and Gough says that it ‘bears marks of great antiquity in the forms of its chimneys, and the quantity of chestnut timber employed about it.’ A large signboard, supported on tall posts, placed on the opposite sides of the way, swings across the road, having on it the inscription, ‘Ye Olde Foure Swannes Hostelrie, 1260.’ ”

David Hughson, in his work onLondon(vol. ii. p. 339), says of this house, that in 1805 it was a good specimen of the old style of house, “consisting of three sides, sometimes of four, with an entrance by a square aperture in the front, into the quadrangle.... It is the manor-house of the manor of Theobalds, and was formerly the residence of a natural son of Henry VIII., whom he created Earl of Richmond.” In the parish register of Waltham Holy Cross, or Waltham Abbey, there is the following entry: “Julii, 1612, Margarett, the daughter of Edward Scarlett of Cestrehunt, was buried 26 daye, dwelling at the signe of Ye Old Swanne in Waltham Cross.” In days gone by this inn was a well-known posting-house, and more recently it numbered Charles Lamb among its patrons. TheSwan with Two Neckswas formerly the sign of a private house in Head Street, Colchester, once occupied by Miles Gray, the celebrated bell-founder. In his day he was quite the head of his craft. Bells founded either by him or his son and successor Miles, who died in 1686, are still found in many belfries throughout Essex. In his will, dated May 17, 1649,[74]he bequeaths unto his wife Dorothy all the “rents, issues, p’fits, cominge, growinge, and arisinge out of the east end of the capitall messuage or tenement, lately burned downe, scituate and beinge below Head Gate, in Colchester aforesayd, commonly called or knowne by thename of the Swann wthtwo Neckes,” &c. It is commonly supposed that the word “necks” has been corrupted from “nicks,” swans having formerly been marked by nicks or notches on the bill. The Rev. Stephen Weston, in theArchæologiafor 1812, states that the king’s swans were formerly marked bytwo nicks, as shown in the two illustrations given below, which represent the royal swan-marks of Henry VIII. and Edward IV. respectively. These, he says, were not afterwards understood, and the double-headed two-necked swan was invented. Larwood and Hotten, however, doubt this derivation, chiefly because the nicks would have been so small when represented on the sign-board as to be of no practical use as a distinctive sign.

Image not available: SWAN BILLS WITH TWO NICKS. (After Yarrell.)SWAN BILLS WITH TWO NICKS.(After Yarrell.)SWAN WITH TWO NECKS.(After Larwood and Hotten.)

SWAN BILLS WITH TWO NICKS.(After Yarrell.)SWAN WITH TWO NECKS.(After Larwood and Hotten.)

TheCockis a very ancient and very common sign. Larwood and Hotten say that it was already in use in the time of the Romans. We have no less than eighteen examples of the simpleCock, and anOld Cockoccurs at Sheering. The ancient and well-knownCockHotel at Epping finds frequent mention in the numbers of theChelmsford Chroniclefor the year 1786. Taylor (see p. 28) also mentions it by name as long ago as 1636. It is a very old house, though now re-fronted with brick. The Rev. Wm. Cole, in his voluminous MSS. in the British Museum, says that on the 26th of October, 1774, he “arrived at Epping in the dusk of the evening, and lodged and dined late at theCockInn.” TheCockInn still existing at Stock is several times mentioned in the parish registers, namely, in 1634, 1639, and 1693. On the latter occasion, “a stranger who died at theCock, being a poor man, was buried by the constables, November 20.” TheCockeInn at Great Coggeshall (not now existing) was once a house of good standing. In 1614 James I. granted it to Henry Eades, and in 1616 to Peregrine Gastrell and Ralph Lounds.[75]Not improbably in this case the sign was derived from the arms of the Abbey of Coggeshall.[76]TheCock, near the Church at Waltham Abbey, is a very ancient inn. It finds frequent mention in the old parish registers. The marriage of John Broadly, of theCockInn, is recorded as early as February, 1599. In 1662 there was aCockat Chelmsford, which does not appear to be in existence now. It is mentioned as being “on the hither side of the bridge” (i.e., the side nearest to Romford) in theAccount of the Murder of Thomas Kidderminster, already referred to. This was probably the same inn mentioned by Foxe in hisBook of Martyrswhen he says that “one Richard Potto the elder, an inn-holder, dwelling at the sign of the Cocke, did much trouble” George Eagles, who was martyred in 1557. For the prevalence of this sign we have probably to thank the barbarous old custom of cock-fighting, as is obvious in the case of the sign of theFighting Cocks, which occurs at Little Sampford and Wendens Ambo, and theGame Cockat Chadwell Heath. But the cock is also by no means an uncommon heraldic bearing, and several combinations into which the bird enters have probably had an heraldic origin. For instance, the sign of theCock and Crown, which existed at Colchester forty years back, may have represented one of the badges of Henry VIII., which was awhite cock crowned, with the cypher H.R.The same king also often used awhite cock crowned, as one of his supporters. At the same time it may simply have been an impaled sign of very modern date. In any case it is very rare. TheCock and Bell, which appears at High Easter, Writtle, and *Romford, is an apparently meaningless sign, and is probably an impalement. The last-named example seems, however, to have been in existence for at least a century, as it is mentioned in an advertisement in theChelmsford Chroniclefor September 14, 1764. In Wright’sHistory of Essexthe inn itself is depicted. Taylor, too, probably refers to this house in hisCatalogue of Taverneswhen he mentions aCockat Romford in 1636. The example at Writtle has an old pictorial sign-board representing a resplendent, though faded, cock, with a bell over his head. TheCock and Magpie, which has existed since 1789 at least on Epping Green, is probably called after a celebrated London tavern of the same name. The sign is identical in its origin with that of theCock and Pie. By the latter name is known some wine and spirit vaults of repute which for over a century have been established on *North Hill, Colchester. Several more or less likely meanings for the sign have been suggested, but the authors of theHistory of Sign-boardsconsider it to be a corrupted sign. They believe that it originally represented thePeacock Pie, formerly a very favourite dish. When the dish went out of fashion the sign became abbreviated into theCock and Pie; and as that appeared meaningless, it was in time corrupted into theCock and Magpie, in both of which forms we still have it. Forty years ago the sign of theMagpieexisted at Great Warley, and there is now aPeacockat Canning Town. A rebus upon the name of the issuer, Richard Cock of Colchester, occurs on a farthing token dated 1658. TheRavenas a sign is found at Berden. It was a badge of the old Scotch kings, and may have been set up as a Jacobite symbol. TheBlackbirds, which occurs at Bulmer, and theThree Blackbirds, which occurs at Leyton, are, doubtless, two signs which were identical in their origin, and are probably connected with theRaven, theThree Ravens, theThree Crows, and theThree Choughs, all of which are fairly common in other counties, and are supposed by Larwood and Hotten to typify Charles, James, and Rupert. It is, however, just as likely that they represent the modern version of some family coat of arms. Many such coats bear three birds, which might, with almost equal correctness, be referred to any of the species just mentioned. Various doves and pigeons have already been spoken of (p. 38), but therestill remains to be mentioned the curious sign of theRainbow and Dove, which is to be found at North Weald. In the list of signs in 1789 (p. 7) it appears as theRainbowmerely. The sign is apparently quite meaningless, unless it typifies the rainbow and dove which figure in the account of “the Flood” (Genesis, chaps. viii. and ix.). TheNightingaleat Wanstead is another inn-sign which does not seem to be mentioned by Larwood and Hotten. It is at least forty years old, and, doubtless, takes its name from, or gives its name to, Nightingale Square, in which it stands. The sign of theOwl, which has existed at High Beech since 1789 at least, is spoken of in theHistory of Sign-boardsas occurring only once elsewhere, namely, at Calverley, near Leeds. A bird (presumably aFinch) occurs on the halfpenny token of John Finch of Halstead, who was probably a maltster, as the other side of his token bore the representation of aMalt-scoop. TheBird in Handoccurs five times in Essex, namely, at Braintree, Halstead (twice), Coggeshall, and *Stratford. There are also beer-houses so called at Goldhanger and Chelmsford. Mr. G. F. Beaumont of Coggeshall states that the *Bird in Handat that place was formerly known as theThoroughInn, because there was a right of way or thoroughfare through it from Earl Street to Church Street. He also mentions, as a curious coincidence, that a short time since the name of the tenant was JosephBird, and that of the owner RichardBirdHolmes. The same gentleman contributes to theCoggeshall Almanacfor the present year an interesting “Programme of a Procession, exhibited by the Weavers of Coggeshall, on Wednesday, the 15th of June, 1791,” and which was to “set out precisely at eight o’clock from theBird in Hand.” The idea of the sign is suggested by the proverb—

“A bird in hand is better far,Than two that in the bushes are.”

The device is to be seen on some of the trade tokens of the seventeenth century. The sign of theFeathersat Hatfield Broad Oak is clearly identical with that of thePlume of Feathersat Loughton; indeed, the former appearsin Mr. Creed’s list (p. 7) as having been thePlume of Feathersin 1789. The house at Loughton is also mentioned in the same list, so that both are at least a hundred years old. Both, of course, now at least represent the badge of our Princes of Wales. Ostrich feathers have been among the devices of our kings and princes from very early times; and the pretty tale of how the Black Prince took them from the King of Bohemia, whom he killed in the battle of Creci, is a pure delusion. As the Rev. H. L. Elliot points out, “Single feathers, differenced in various ways, were used as badges by the kings and the Beauforts before the Wars of the Roses. Henry VI. used two feathers in saltire, the sinister argent, surmounted of the dexter or, as here depicted, as one of his badges.”

Image not available: PLUME OF FEATHERS. (Badge of the Prince of Wales.)PLUME OF FEATHERS.(Badge of the Prince of Wales.)THE FEATHERS.(Badge of Henry VI.)

PLUME OF FEATHERS.(Badge of the Prince of Wales.)THE FEATHERS.(Badge of Henry VI.)

Twenty years since a house at Stanstead bore the sign of theBell and Feathers, which is a combination not mentioned by Larwood and Hotten. It was probably merely an impaled sign, as it was formerly theBellsimply, and has now returned to its old name, under which it will be hereafter referred to. The sign of thePhœnixnow only occurs at Rainham, though there was another example at Billericay forty years since. The sign was formerly often set up by chemists, but other tradesmen also used it. The fact that a phœnix forms the crest of the Blacksmiths’ Company (p. 32) has, perhaps, had something to do with bringing the bird into favour as a sign. This completes our list of ornithological signs.

... “Ye ale-house painted signs.”Shakespeare:Titus Andronicus, Act iv., Scene 3.

THIS class of signs—or rather combination of several small groups, taken together for the sake of convenience—is, naturally, very far from a large one. It contains, indeed, only four signs, all told.

TheFish and Eels, which is a very strange device appearing at Roydon, is our only existing sign connected with fish, althoughTwo Fishesappeared on the tokens of the two William Wildmans (father and son) of Saffron Walden, issued in 1656 and 1667 respectively. The former spells the name Saffron Wallding. The sign, perhaps, originated in the arms of the Fishmongers’ Company.[77]Larwood and Hotten do not notice the Fish and Eels, although this house has displayed the sign since 1789 at least. It may be a meaningless impalement.

Only two signs occurring in the county are in any way connected with insects. These are theFly and Bullock, already described (p. 67), and theBeehive, which occurs five times, namely, at Great Baddow, Witham, Horkesley, Ilford, and Lambourne. The sign is generally represented (as at Witham and Baddow) by an old straw hive, or skep, with a great many bees,volant, counter-volant(as heraldicwriters say), around it, probably to indicate that a busy trade is carried on within. It is recorded[78]in the Barking parish register, that in 1653, “Francis, the sonne of an Ethiopian, born at theBeehive,” was baptised. Under this heading must be noticed a sign which, although it does not occur in Essex, is, nevertheless, connected with the county. This sign is theEssex Serpent, which still exists in King Street, Covent Garden; and, when Larwood and Hotten wrote, there was also another example in Charles Street, Westminster. Those gentlemen think that it was, perhaps, originally set up “in allusion to a fabulous monster recorded in a catalogue of wonders and awful prognostications contained in a broadside of 1704,[79]from which we learn that ‘Before Henry the second dyed, ... a Dragon of marvellous bigness was discovered at St. Osyph in Essex.’ Had we any evidence that it is an old sign, we might almost be inclined to consider it as dating from the civil war, and hung up with reference to Essex, the Parliamentary General; for, though we have searched the chroniclers fondest of relating wonders and monstrous apparitions, we have not succeeded in finding any authority for the St. Osyph Dragon, other than the above-mentioned broadside.” Another reference to the same unwelcome visitor is, however, to be found in Dr. Howell’sAncient and Present State of England(1712), wherein it is recorded (p. 75) that “At St. Osyphs in Essex was seen a dragon of marvellous bigness, which by moving burned houses.” The dragon is also mentioned in Sir Richard Baker’sChronicles of the Kings of England, published in 1684. It is, nevertheless, fairly certain that the sign has no reference to the St. Osyth dragon; for there is a much more likely origin. In the British Museum Library may be seen a highly remarkable tract of the year 1669, entitled,The Flying Serpent, or Strange News out of Essex: being a true relation of a Monstrous Serpent which hath divers times been seen at a parish called Henham on the Mount, within four miles of Saffron Walden. Showing the length, proportion, and bigness of the

Image not available: THE FLYING SERPENT. (Facsimile of Original.)THE FLYING SERPENT.(Facsimile of Original.)

Serpent, the place where it commonly lurks, and what means hath been used to kill it. Also a discourse of other Serpents, and particularlyof a Cockatrice killed at Saffron Walden,” &c.[80]The truth of the statements contained in the tract is attested by the Churchwarden, the Constable, the Overseer of the Poor, and four Householders. The title-page bears no author’s name, and the imprint of the copy in question is partially destroyed; but there can be little doubt that it is one of the many curious productions of “Poor Robin,” whosePerambulation from Saffron Walden to Londonhas already been noticed (p. 66).[81]In addition to an awe-inspiring portrait of the beast, here reproduced, the tract contains a very amusing, though now highly absurd, account of the first discovery of the serpent, the nature of its habitat, the means taken to kill it, and other details, as set forth in the title. Doubtless the appearance of the tract caused sufficient talk and attracted enough attention to induce some enterprising publican or other tradesman to set up theEssex Serpentas a sign; or perhaps some formerGriffinorGreen Dragonwas rechristened under that name in order to attract customers. That it is a fairly old sign is certain. Gough, in hisBritish Topography,[82]after alluding to the pamphlet just spoken of, says: “Mr. Oldys [who died in 1761] says there is a public-house in King Street, Covent Garden, called the Essex Serpent, and having a serpent painted on its sign.” Sussex had a “strange and monstrous Serpent (or Dragon)” in 1614, as may be learned from a very curious old pamphlet of that date, entitledTrue and Wonderful, republished in theHarleian Miscellany.[83]Essex can boast of a reptilian sign which probably exists nowhere else, a beer-house keeper at Ingatestone having, for some inscrutable reason, selected theViper—a device not noticed by Larwood and Hotten.

THE next great class of signs which will be noticed includes those which are derived from the Vegetable Kingdom. These may be called “Botanical Signs.” Though not so numerous as the Zoological Signs, they are, nevertheless, fairly common; but only a comparatively small number can be traced back to an heraldic origin.

Those signs will be noticed first which are obviously derived from some prominent tree or trees growing close to the houses called after them. These seem generally to be of very modern origin, as they figure but sparsely in the list printed forty years ago. Most of them, it will be noticed, are in the vicinity of London. There is aBay Treeat Stratford, aChestnut Treeat Walthamstow, anElmsat Leytonstone, aFir Treesat Wanstead, aFour Ashesat Takeley, aGroveTavern at Walthamstow, aHolly Bushat Leyton, and another at Loughton, aHolly Treeat Forest Gate, and aMay Bushat Great Oakley. The sign of theWillowsappears at Willingale Doe. There is also on the list aThree Ashesat Cressing, and another at Chelmsford, while forty years since there was another at Rochford, aYew Treeat Great Horkesley, and another at Felstead (beer-house), aThree Elmsat Chignal St. James (which has three elm trees in front of it), and no less than sevenCherry Treesin different parts of the county, although forty years ago only four were in existence. TheThorn Innat *Mistley seems to have been in existence since 1786 at least, as it is mentioned in an advertisement in theChelmsford Chroniclefor February 24th in that year. Its sign is, obviously, connected with the old name of the place, which was Mistley Thorn. In theVery Young Lady’s Tour from London to Aldborough and Back(1804, see p. 37) occurs the following:

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