History of Madeley: including Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, and CoalportRandall, John
History
History of Madeley: including Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, and Coalport
Randall, John
Madeley (Shropshire, England) -- History
Signboards are scarcely so significant or important now as formerly: yet
an interest attaches to them still, and there is some pleasure in
pondering over their designs, as significant of olden times and
manners—the old ones especially. One easily imagines too the jovial
tenants of taverns in former years, the noisy chafferings, the political
discussions carried on by those who sought recreation and enjoyment in
them.
THE THREE HORSE SHOES is the oldest Sign in Madeley; it swings over the
door of one of the oldest houses in Madeley, the walls being of rubble,
mud, and plaster: and the Sign itself, no doubt, is one of the oldest in
the kingdom. A horse shoe, when found and nailed over the door was
supposed to bring good luck—hence the single shoe, which is uppermost.
The HORSE SHOES is kept by Mr. J. H. Robinson.
The HAMMER, in Park Lane, kept by Mrs. Lloyd, is the next in point of
age. It was a trade emblem when the house was much more used than at
present by ironworkers, particularly by forgemen.
The ROYAL OAK was the first newly-licensed house for many years in
Madeley. The license for it was very adroitly obtained by Mr. Charles
Dyas. The Sign is a universal favourite, as emblematic of our old ships
and seamen. The house is kept by Mrs. Shingler.
The HEART OF OAK, in Court Street, kept by Mr. Joseph Currier, is another
popular Sign, indicative of character, and illustrative of old national
songs.
The BARLEY MOW, in Court Street, is kept by Mr. Pitchford.
The CROWN, Court Street, now void, is one of the oldest English signs.
ALL NATIONS, kept by Mrs. Baguley, is the only Sign of its name we know
of.
The SIX BELLS, kept by Mr. Ward, near the Church, is a Sign significant
of the number of bells in the Church tower.
The ROYAL EXCHANGE, kept by Mr. Goodwin, is a modern house, with an
ancient Sign; whilst the RAILWAY INN, kept by Mr. Taylor, is modern in
both respects.
The COOPERS’ ARMS is now down, but another house has been built, which
has not yet been christened.
The PRINCE OF WALES’S FEATHERS, Lower Madeley, kept by Mr. Daniel Adams,
as the name implies, is a royal badge.
THE MINERS’ ARMS, kept by Mr. Kearsley, is so sufficiently significant,
as not to need comment. Also The TURNERS’ ARMS, kept by Mr. John Brown;
and the THREE FURNACES, kept by Mr. Biddulph.
The TWEEDALE is kept by Mr. G. Ray.
The CUCKOO-OAK Inn, by Mr. H. Wilkes, takes its name from the place.
The BRITANNIA, kept by Mr. E. Hopley, Aqueduct, and the ANCHOR, by Mr.
Evans, Court Street, are modern houses with ancient signs.
There are also the COMMERCIAL INN, kept by Mrs. Heighway, and a Beershop
in Church Street, kept by Mr. Durnall.
Then there is the CHESTNUTS, formerly the Red Lion, which fakes it name
from the tree in front, and is kept by Mr. James Hancock.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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