History of the White Hart
In 1393, King Richard II passed an Act making signs outside inns compulsory. Many adopted his badge, the white hart. The White Hart is the 4th most popular UK pub name.
There are 313 White Hart pubs in the UK. The Crown, with 491 pubs, is the 2nd most popular name. Next is the Royal Oak, 426 pubs. Then 293 Ploughs, 286 Swans, 285 Railways, 281 White Horses, 243 Kings Arms and 242 pubs called The Ship.
Some think pubs were named after a white hart seen by Richard II. Others say it refers to a tavern used by Canterbury pilgrims. Most likely it is simply a variation of "whit hart", meaning a young deer.
In medieval times, inns running pilgrim hostels took crusader related names. Showing loyalty to rulers, many took signs with crowns.
When the first public houses appeared, they hung distinctive objects outside to identify themselves, originating names like The Plough, The Boot and The Copper Kettle.
The White Hart in Drury Lane dates from 1216, the first licensed premise in London. Parts of the original interior remain.
Why Some Pubs are Named the Black Boy
In 1393, King Richard II passed an Act making signs outside inns compulsory. Many adopted his badge, the white hart. The White Hart is the 4th most popular UK pub name.
There are 313 White Hart pubs in the UK. The Crown, with 491 pubs, is the 2nd most popular. Next is the Royal Oak, 426 pubs. Then 293 Ploughs, 286 Swans, 285 Railways.
Some think pubs were named after a white hart seen by Richard II. Most likely it is a variation of "whit hart", meaning a young deer.
In medieval times, inns running pilgrim hostels took crusader names. Showing loyalty to rulers, many took signs with crowns.
When public houses appeared, they hung objects outside to identify themselves, originating names like The Plough, The Boot.
The White Hart in Drury Lane dates from 1216, the first licensed premise in London. Parts of the original interior remain.