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A handy reference book detailing the history behind the names of over 3,000 pub signs, together with pictures of some of the most striking signs hanging outside these hostelries today.

Ale houses or public drinking houses are thought to have existed in Britain long before the Romans arrived in AD43. But they are credited with the regularizing of such places and with passing laws regarding the nature of inn signs. By the time the Saxons came, inns were identifying themselves with a long pole extending out into the street instead of the customary bunch of grapes. From here it was a short step to attaching a board depicting a name and illustration, much as pubs do today.

With the Norman Conquest, some inn-keepers found themselves obliged to display elements of their new lord's coat of arms - a lion, griffin, deer or hart. This led to the use of the arms of guilds and traders such as the Axe and Compass of the Company of Carpenters and the Dolphin of the Watermen's Company. Other groups were soon drawn in and the Fllece, the Jolly Sailor, the Plough and Harrow and the Three Horseshoes, which represented the livelihoods of many of the inn's customers became popular.

During the 19th and 20th centuries heroes and heroines such as Lord Nelson, Florence Nightingale and the Duke of Wellington and the sites of great battle such as Blenheim and Waterloo were the inspiration for new names and signs. And the process goes on to the present day

Colin Waters is also the author of 'a Dictionary of Old Trades'; 'Titles and occupations'; A Dictionary of Saints' Feast Days', and, 'Fasts, Feasts and Festivals'.

Softcover; 160 pp with Bibliography