The Trade Signs of Essex: A popular account of the origin and meanings of the public houses & other signsChristy, Miller
Philosophy
The Trade Signs of Essex: A popular account of the origin and meanings of the public houses & other signs
Christy, Miller
Essex (England) -- Social life and customs; Hotels -- England -- Essex; Signs and signboards -- England -- Essex
Many other of our “arms” are named after places outside the county.
Probably in many cases a new landlord has named his house after the
place he came from. Such are the CAMBRIDGE ARMS, the CUCKFIELD ARMS, the
DARTMOUTH ARMS, the DENMARK ARMS, the DORSET ARMS, 2 DURHAM ARMS, the
FALMOUTH ARMS, the IPSWICH ARMS, the LIVERPOOL ARMS, the NORTHUMBERLAND
ARMS, the ODESSA ARMS, the LILLIPUT ARMS (in the Lilliput Road,
Stratford), the TOWER HAMLETS ARMS (at Forest Gate), and the KENT ARMS
at North Woolwich, a parish belonging to Kent, though situated on the
north side of the river. Twenty years ago there was also a SUSSEX ARMS
in existence. The CITY ARMS at Canning Town presumably represent the
arms of the City of London.[18] The dagger in the City arms commemorates
the slaying of Wat Tyler by Sir William Walworth, in 1381. The weapon
used is still in the possession of the Fishmongers’ Company. The
SUTHERLAND ARMS at Wakes Colne seems from the printed list to have been
corrupted from the SUNDERLAND ARMS within the last twenty years. An
example of both forms occurs in London at the present time. It is most
probable that some of these signs have not taken their names direct from
the counties or towns mentioned, but from the titles of noblemen who
have become prominent for political or other reasons. This has been
almost certainly the case with the CAMBRIDGE ARMS, the DURHAM ARMS, and
the LIVERPOOL ARMS.
[Illustration: BREWERS’ ARMS.]
The following signs are, with equal clearness, derived from trades or
employments pursued within the county. Many of them are, doubtless,
derived directly from the arms of the London Trade Companies. Of the
BLACKSMITHS’ ARMS[19] we have examples situated respectively at Little
Clacton and at North Weald. The Blacksmiths’ Arms also appear on the
halfpenny tokens of “Will Todd, Blacksmith of Epping,” 1668, and of
William Thompson of South Benfleet (no date). The BLACKSMITHS’ ARMS, at
Little Clacton, appears to have existed since 1786 at least, as it is
referred to in an advertisement in the _Chelmsford Chronicle_ for March
17th in that year. Not improbably the HAMMER AND PINCERS crossed, which
appeared on the halfpenny of Will Willis of Romford, in 1667,
constituted a blacksmith’s sign. The BREWERS’ ARMS[20] occur as a sign
at Woodham Ferris and *Colchester. The THREE TUNS, of which we have
examples at Newport, *Dunmow, and Waltham Abbey, all of them being at
least forty years old, are certainly derived from the arms either of the
Brewers’ Company or the Vintners’ Company.[21] THREE TUNS are depicted
on the token issued by William Harman, of Chelmsford, in 1657. The THREE
TUNS which formerly existed at *Chelmsford was long a well-known inn.
The Rev. R. E. Bartlett finds it mentioned in the parish registers in
1619, when “a chrisome son of Robt. Ogden of Chelmsford, Vintner, at the
3 Tunnes, and of Susan his wife, was buried the XXX day of December,
being Thursday.” Taylor also mentions it in his _Catalogue of
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account