| In 1393 King Richard II compelled landlords to erect signs outside their premises, the legislation stated "Whosoever shall brew ale in the town with intention of selling it must hang out a sign, otherwise he shall forefeit his ale". In the past, pictures were more useful than the words for identifying the pub, as many of the patrons were illiterate. Many British pubs still have highly decorated signs hanging over their doors. These signs bear the name of the pub, both in words and in pictorial representation. If the pub's name refers to real objects or animals, then the picture will usually be a straightforward one; if the pub is named after a person of nobility, then the sign will often bear that person's coat of arms. Some pub signs are in the form of a pictorial pun or rebus. Many of the traditional pub names were originally chosen in order provide a memorable pub sign. |
