There were three main types of drinking establishment in earlier times, all with social and legal distinctions. This talk separates (or not!) inns from taverns and alehouses, explaining the types of customer and what might have gone on within the buildings. Our public houses and their signs are part of the urban and rural landscape, but they still have much to tell us of English and county history in a colourful and interesting way. The signs are an important part of our cultural history and many are, fortunately, still with us. We often use them to find our way around and any stranger asking the way in town or country will probably be told to turn left at the Swan, or go straight on at the Red Lion.This talk looks at many of these inn signs across England, and explains much of their local and regional significance. See www.sussexhistorytalks.co.uk for more details.
Views: 1178 | Enquiries: 12I am an independent historian, giving illustrated talks in Sussex (sometimes nipping into Surrey and Kent) for 35 years. I have a PhD in early-modern Sussex inn and tavern history and give more general talks about the history of English inn signs as well as those in Sussex. I am at present looking at the art of the inn sign. My MA dissertation is about Elizabethan courtier (or con-man!) Sir Thomas Sherley of Wiston House (West Sussex). I worked as Archivist at Lancing College, also teaching local history and palaeography in adult education at the University of Sussex. I am President of the Brighton & Hove Archaeological Society. I am a member of the Wealden Buildings Study Group, and am particularly interested in the ritual protection of the home. I hold a Diploma in English Local History and speak on a variety of subjects connected with Sussex and the South-East, some covering other parts of England - see the variety of talks listed on my website - www.sussexhistorytalks.co.uk - I have given many talks using ZOOM and can also host sessions. Due to my interest in and knowledge of inns, taverns and alehouses and all manner of drinking establishments in England, I have been in more pubs than most people - mainly for research purposes...
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