In days of old, when knights were bold, and most people in England were illiterate, men still liked to have a drink with their friends in an inn or an ale-house.
So the inns put up pictorial signs to announce their existence. The tradition has never died out. The 73,000 pubs in Britain still have signs - and names which relate to the old pictures.
Inn names and signs evoke ancient customs, local families, national heroes, stirring events... A history of Britain could be written from them.
The Chequers: 'The Chequers' (chessboard) was used as a sign for an inn where foreign sailors could change money before bereaux de change were invited.
Elephant and Castle: This sign commemorates Edward I's queen the Infanta de Castillia. After a few beers mediaeval Englishmen found it eassier to say 'Elephant and Castle'!
Cross Keys: The Cross Keys were the badge of St. Peter and of the archbishops. This pub ay have been a meeting place for Crusaders.
The Plough: In towns, pubs called "The Plough" seem like an anomaly but they are a reminder of how cities have expanded over agricultural areas.
The Royal Oak: King Charles II escaped after the Battle of Worcester (1651) by hiding in an oak tree.
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