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History of the Three Horseshoes
HORSESHOES: POPULAR CHOICE FOR ALE HOUSES AFTER EDICT BY RICHARD II.
How did the popular pub name The Three Horseshoes come about?
Why the Three Horseshoes not four?
The Three Horseshoes is the heraldic symbol of the worshipful company of ferries, a fellowship since 1356, Chartered in 1674. The assumption is that the design employed only Three Shoes, as the otherwise being replaced or worked on by the furrier. Pubs bearing this name were probably owned by the company or its members. Some signed, however show Horseshoes gathered around a stake in the ground, representing the horseshoes-throwing game which was popular at the time.
Horseshoes have been used as pub sign for centuries, with a largely illiterate population, visual signs were an important means of attracting customer and in 1393, Richard II issued an edict requiring all who brewed and sold ale to display a sign to enable the ale Conner (tester Shakespeare’s father was one) to locate the premises. A Horseshoes sign was a popular choice because it was an easily recognizable symbol, and had the added reputation of being able to combat witchcraft. It was also associated with good luck.
A superstition to which Lord Nelson himself widely featured on the pub signs, subscribed in addition to the Horseshoes and Thee Horseshoes there are pubs named Four Horseshoes, Five Horseshoes and Nine Horseshoes.
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| telephone: 01227 750842 | email: skippy@theshoes46.fsnet.co.uk |
| The Three Horseshoes, Staplestreet, Hernhill, Nr. Faversham, Kent | |
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