There is much local history in inn signs. Many names change according to the whims of licensees and companies but even some of these can be instructive. Others continue over the centuries. In our area of the Lower Arrow Valley we have a plethora of public houses, with Alcester particularly out-standing. In the records of our Society we have 50 different licensed premises in Alcester's history: in Studley 25, in Bidford 19, with 21 in other villages.

It is possible to group together many of our inn names ; that is what the rest of this article will do.

Trades and Occupations
This is by far the largest section, although many have ceased to exist, either through destruction or cessation of trade. Sometimes the inn names tell us of the occupations of the population but often of the secondary occupation of the pub's landlord.

The MALT SHOVEL in Alcester, of which we know practically nothing, tells us of the malting trade which was one of the parish's primary occupations.

The GLOVE AND CROSS, another Alcester pub long gone, probably refers to the leather industry, so strong in the 17th century. The dual name suggests an amalgamation of hostelries.

One would expect blacksmiths to have left their mark; and so they have at Wixford, where there is the THREE HORSESHOES, which was also formerly represented in Alcester.

Brewing and victualling itself have been represented -- there was a BREWER'S ARMS at Studley and the THREE TUNS (arms of the Vintners Society) at Alcester. The BAKER'S ARMS in Alcester remind us that the victualler's family also ran a bakery and

The BRICKLAYERS' ARMS at Studley probably represented the trade of one of the landlords. Also at Studley, the NEEDLE MAKERS' ARMS represents the main trade of that parish at one time. What is rather surprising is that Alcester had no pub so named. Both Studley and Alcester have had a RAILWAY INN, from the 1860s, when both places were linked by the Midland railway from Evesham to Redditch. The masons have not been neglected, for MASONS1 ARMS once described the pub in Bidford, now called the 'Anglo Saxon"

The coach trade, following the introduction of turnpike roads in our area in 1753, was represented in Studley by the COACH AND HORSES but once again Alcester had no such designation. However, Alcester alone had a PLUMBERS' ARMS, perhaps not surprising however, as the town was famed for its glaziers/plumbers as long as 400 years ago. Farming has, surprisingly, left few marks. There is THE PLOUGH at Bidford and there was the POUND at Alcester, on the site of the original pound there, where stray animals were put - a necessity where there were growing crops. THE BEEHIVE in Alcester's Butter Street speaks of a beekeeper there.

History
The caterans were Scottish raiders over the border. With their bagpipes they must have been a fearsome sight. It is known that the Scot who came to these parts in the Civil War left a trail of devastation: was this the origin of an Alcester pub named THE CAT AND BAGPIPES? An old children's nursery rhyme started thus: 'A cat came fiddling out of a barn with a pair of bagpipes under his arm'. Perhaps this, too, had an echo of the Scots

The ANGLO-SAXON in Bidford (Formerly  'Masons' Arms) reminds us that the excavation in the 1920s of a Saxon cemetery was behind the pub. It is a salutary reminder of Anglo-Saxon occupation in this area.

The Church
There are three pubs named THE BELL: in Alcester, Studley and Salford Priors. The name was usually given to hostelries within sound of the bells of the parish church. THE ANGEL in Alcester perhaps had an original reference to the Annunciation: it is only a few yards from the church. Still in Alcester, the REINDEER and the GOLDEN CUP, both near the church, probably referred to legends connected with Saint Nicholas, patron saint of the church.

Worthies
Nelson was a national hero, as was Wellington. They are both represented in the area, with the LORD NELSON at Alcester and the one-time ADMIRAL NELSON at Bidford, together with THE BOOT, representing Wellington at Mappleborough, Bidford and Great Alne. The SHAKESPEARE INN at Studley and the DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH in the same parish represent two more national figures.

Royalty
The execution of Charles 1 left an indelible mark on English history and pub signs record this: there was a KING'S HEAD in Alcester and it is common throughout the land His son, Charles II, also made his mark and we have the ROYAL OAK at Studley and Alcester. Royalty in general appears in THE CROWN, both at one time in Haselor and Alcester and in the ROSE AND CROWN, formerly at Arrow and Alcester (The Rose and Crown was one of the Royal badges). Another local royal sign was the former QUEEN'S HEAD at Irons Cross, though which queen is unknown. In Studley is THE JUBILEE.

Leisure
The three leisure-time activities noted in inn names in the area are fishing, horse-related events and boating. THE PLEASURE BOAT at Bidford tells of that village as a long-time venue for trips on the Avon. THE FISH at Wixford and THE FISHERMAN'S REST at Bidford remind us of the abundance and importance of rivers in our low-lying area. Horses, of course, were essential in the past and they feature in pub names: there was a HORSE AND JOCKEY at Salford Priors and one in Alcester, reminding us of the local point to point races, so popular in previous centuries. the WHY NOT on the Ridgeway, once in Alcester parish, commemorates a Grand National winner of the late 19th century. The mention of THE GREYHOUND (once at Studley and Alcester) may be a reference to hunting, though it was also a heraldic symbol. THE TALBOT, an old Alcester pub, may refer to an old hunting dog. There was also a HORSE AND GROOM at Studley. Dogs and other animals were popular inn names, perhaps because they made good inn signs but also because they featured in hunting, either as hunters or hunted: in Alcester there are or were the ROEBUCK, the HIND, the OLD BUCK, the WHITE HART, THE DOG AND PARTRIDGE, THE RED HORSE and THE D~G. Studley has or had a BLACK HORSE (2), a NAG'S HEAD and THE DOG. Bidford had THE ~ALCON and THE WHITE HART and Sambourne THE FALCON. (One has the awful suspicion that references to dogs may have referred to dog fighting). There was also a RED HORSE in Dunnington.

Play on Names
There may be others but an obvious one was the old FOX in Alcester In mediaeval Europe Reynard the fox was a well-known literary character. The once-owner of the dwelling in Alcester High Street was Reynold; the pun is clear.

Heraldic Devices
Heraldry has supplied many inn names and signs. In Abbots Salford we have THE EYSTON ~ and STANFORD?S ARMS and in Sambourne the THROCKMORTON ARMS. The BEAR in Alcester was the emblem of the Earls of Warwick. Lions of various colours undoubtedly come from coats of arms of kings or barons and the area had some of these: The GOLDEN LION (Alcester); the ~HITE LION (Bidford and two at Alcester); The RED LION (Alcester).

Miscellaneous
In Studley parish, the HOG IN THE HOLE and the BUG AND BLANKET. At Barton, THE COTTAGE OF CONTENT. At Great Alne, THE MOTHER HUFF CAP. At Walcot, THE PAUL PRY.

Other names:

Additional Information

Further General Reading

Spring 1990 Index

© Alcester & District Local History Society 1991