Since pictorial or carved signs have fallen into disuse, and only names given, the SILVER LION is not uncommon, though in all probability simply adopted as a change from the very frequent Golden Lion. Thus there is one in the High Street, Poplar; in the London Road, and Midland Road, Derby; in the Lilly Road, Luton, Herts, &c. The Red Lion is by far the most common; doubtless it originated with the badge of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, married to Constance, daughter of Don Pedro the Cruel, king of Leon and Castille. The duke bore the lion rampant gules of Leon as his cognizance, to represent his claim to the throne of Castille, when that was occupied by Henry de Transtamare. In after years it may often have been used to represent the lion of Scotland. The Red Lion Inn at Sittingbourne is a very ancient establishment. A new landlord, who entered _circa_ 1820, issued the following advertisement:-- “WM. WHITAKER having taken the above house, most respectfully solicits the custom and support of the nobility and gentry, &c., &c. “The antiquity of the inn, and the respectable character which it has in history are recorded as under:-- “Sittingbourne, in Kent, is a considerable thoroughfare on the Dover Road, where there are several good inns, particularly the Red Lion, which is remarkable for an entertainment, made by Mr John Norwood, for King Henry the Fifth, _as he returned from the battle of Agincourt, in France, in the year 1415, the whole amounting to no more than Nine Shillings and Ninepence_. Wine being at that time only a penny a pint, and all other things being proportionably cheap. _P.S._--The same character in a like proportionate degree Wm. Whitaker hopes to obtain by his moderate charges at the present time.” Red Lion Square, Holborn, was called after an inn known as the Red Lion. “Andrew Marvell lies interred under y^{e} pews in the south side of St Giles church in y^{e} Fields, under the window wherein is painted on glasse, a red lyon, (it was given by the Inneholder of the Red lyon Inne, Holborn.)”[149] Another celebrated tavern was the Old Red Lion, St John’s Road, Islington,--which has been honoured by the presence of several great literary characters. Thomson, of the “Seasons,” was a frequent visitor; Paine, the author of the “Rights of Man,” lived, here; and Dr Johnson, with his friends, are said often to have sat in the parlour. Hogarth introduced its gable end in his picture of Evening. The BLACK LION is somewhat uncommon; it may have been derived from the coat of arms of Queen Philippa of Hainault, wife of Edward III.[150] We find an example of it in the following advertisement:--[151] “AT THE UNION SOCIETY at the Black Lion against Short’s Garden in Drury Lane, a Linen Draper’s, on Thursday the 21st past, _was_ opened three offices of Insurance on the birth of Children, by way of dividend. At the same place there is two offices for marriages,” &c.