CHAPTER VII.
HUMAN SIGNS.
... “And make my image but an ale-house sign.”
Shakespeare: Henry V., Part II., Act iii., Scene 2.
HE next class of signs to be treated of is that which includes those derived from “Man and His Parts,” as the old books on Heraldry have it. Such signs may be styled “Human Signs.” They are numerous, though usually of but very slight interest; and, as might be expected, very few are of heraldic origin. In speaking of them it will not be necessary to give much more than a mere list. The numerous “heads” obviously indicate a portrait once to have been the sign; and most of these portraits represent persons of very modern fame. Many Human Signs have already been noticed under the heading “Arms,” and elsewhere, and it will be quite unnecessary to refer to them again.
By no means a few of our inns are named after personages who have made themselves eminent either in the political, military, literary, or social worlds. The mere mention of these will call to mind many historical events of importance during the last two centuries. Thus our six examples of the Duke of Wellington, our two of the Wellington, and our six of the Duke’s Head, remind us of the hero of Talavera and Salamanca—the Duke of his day—who died in 1852. A Duke’s Head, however, which existed at Hatfield Broad Oak in 1789, evidently commemorated some other and earlier Duke, perhaps one of the Dukes of York. There is also a Duke of Wellington (beer-house) at Bocking. The Admiral Rous at Galleywood, where Chelmsford Races are held, commemorates the father of modern English racing, who died only a year or two ago. The Oliver Twist at Leyton was doubtless set up in honour of the popular Dickens, who well deserves further sign-board honours. The same may be said of another great Englishman, who is commemorated only by the Shakespeare’s Head at Canning Town. In various parts of the county we meet with two examples of the Earl of Essex, one of the Duke of Norfolk, three of the Grosvenor, one of the Lord Henniker, and one of the Clifton, all of which were unquestionably set up in honour of great titled families. Statesmen are represented by two examples of the Earl of Derby, one of the Lord Stanley, one of the Lord Palmerston, two of the Clarendon, and one of the Pitt’s Head. Lord Denman alone seems to have been selected to represent the legal profession. Among great military commanders, we have the Marquis of Granby (represented by three examples), the Lord Raglan (by three), the Lord Gough (by one), the Marlborough’s Head (by three—one of which is mentioned in the Chelmsford Chronicle in 1764, while another at Maldon, not now existing, is mentioned in the same paper on March 2, 1787), and the *Blucher’s Head (by one at Romford). The King of Prussia still figures as a sign at *Stratford. Prominent Indian officers seem to be well represented. Thus we have a General Havelock (very modern), a Sir Colin Campbell, and a Sir John Lawrence. Sign-writers seem to have been unable to keep pace with the rapid promotion of these gentlemen. For instance, the first became Sir Henry Havelock so long ago as 1857; the second became Lord Clyde in the same year, and died in 1863; while the third was created Lord Lawrence in 1869, and died in 1879. Eminent naval commanders are commemorated by four examples of the Lord Nelson, one of the Nelson’s Head, and one of the Lord Napier. Sixty years ago, too, there was a *Duncan’s Head at Colchester. It was doubtless in honour of Admiral Duncan, who died in 1804. Larwood and Hotten do not notice this sign. The Rodney at Little Baddow is a house well known to the worshippers of “St. Lubbock” and to other holiday-keepers in the neighbourhood of Chelmsford. It, of course, commemorates Admiral Lord Rodney, who died in 1792.
Mr. H. W. King writes:
“The taking of Porto Bello in 1739, and the popularity of Admiral Vernon at the time, caused many Vernon’s Heads. One formerly existing at *Rochford is now demolished and has ceased to be. Either entirely new inns were thus named, or else old signs were abolished to make way for the portrait of the new favourite. Probably there were often similar changes for the sake of popularity.”
One of the most notable signs in the county belonging to this class is the Sir Wilfrid Lawson at Woodford. It will be quite unnecessary to state that this is not an ordinary inn-sign. A Conservative politician would be more likely to deliver himself of an oration in praise of Mr. Gladstone and his virtues, than a publican to erect a sign to the honour of Sir Wilfrid Lawson. The house which exhibits this sign is a Coffee Tavern erected by an ardent abstainer and opened by Sir Wilfrid in May, 1883. The following amusing lines were penned by a member of the company present at the opening. They are, it is said, still to be seen in the house.