Why are so many pubs called the Marquis of Granby?
One affectionate tribute is reserved for the Marquis of Granby, a British army commander much loved by his men. In the 18th century there were no army pensions and, rather than let his men starve, he bought pubs for every one of his disabled non-commissioned officers.
The name 'The Marquis' is rooted in the legacy of General John Manners, the Marquess of Granby (1721-1770). He was a highly decorated military officer and hero of the Seven Years War.
Many pubs chose to adopt the name The White Hart, as it was the personal badge of the King. The Crown was also a popular choice, as it meant that during the time where Kings had a relatively short reign time, they could pledge support to the current reigning monarch without needing to change the pub name.
The building dates back to Charles II's reign (1661-1685) and was originally run by a mistress of the Duke of Buckingham. 'The Hole in the Wall' as it was known them, was notorious for its criminal regulars, including the romantic highwayman Claude Duval, who was captured here whilst propping up the end of the bar!
Alexei Sayle The Marquis Of Granby - The Pub That Rides A Horse Sketch
What is the oldest pub in the world?
Sean's Bar has been researched thoroughly by the Guinness Book of Records and proudly holds the record for "The Oldest Pub in Ireland" with an official dating of 900AD. Research is ongoing into the title of "The Oldest Pub in the World"; so far, nothing older has been found.
These names often signified the pub had received a royal license to operate - quite the badge of honour in olden times! Just imagine, sipping on your drink in the same establishment where kings and queens once gave their royal nod of approval!
In late 2018, GSE Property Group acquired the Marquis of Granby in the beautiful village of Alkham in East Kent. After a substantial refurbishment, the award-winning pub reopened in March 2019 with a focus on restoring it as a true local pub with traditional ales and food.
Charles Manners, Marquess of Granby (Charles John Montague; born 3 July 1999), is an English aristocrat. He is the heir apparent to the Dukedom of Rutland.
To be clear, most marquises are not of royal blood. They are appointed to the position as a promotion, something that can only be done by a King or Queen. For the most part, only the titles of Dukes and Dutchesses are reserved for direct members of the royal family.
Any pub called 'The Turk's Head' or 'The Saracen's Head' is a reference to the crusades, and any pub with the word 'Standard' in it refers to a king's banner.
Featuring a 518-foot long showpiece bar that wraps stunningly around an indoor stage, Humble Baron allows guests to enjoy elevated fare and creative cocktails while watching live music in a state-of-the-art entertainment venue.
The Nag's Head There are several theories behind this popular pub name. Some trace it back some five hundred years to the age of piracy, when smugglers out at sea would get the all-clear to come on shore from an accomplice who led a horse carrying a lantern along the cliff top.
Q Inn. 'The Q' as it appears in the Guinness book of records is famed for having the shortest pub name in England. This traditional two-level quaint tavern offers a selection of cask beers among a range of other popular drinks.
Several have names intended to be humorous, including the names used by some pub chains. Among the most common pub names are the Red Lion, the Royal Oak, the Crown, and the Swan.
1. Old Ferry Boat Inn, St Ives, Cambridgeshire. There are two main contenders for the title, 'Oldest inn in England' – and the Old Ferry Boat at St Ives in Cambridgeshire (pictured above) is considered by many to be England's oldest inn. According to legend, the inn has been serving alcohol since 560 AD!
A lesser-known significance of the name is when it is used in reference to Saint Paul who, in the Bible, mentions that faith is like an anchor and gives hope, hence the pub name Anchor of Hope. As the colour blue is symbolic of hope, pub signs for this name very often depict a blue anchor.
"Arms" in English inn/alehouse names relates to coats of arms . The use of heraldry in alehouse names and signs goes back to their origins in the Middle Ages! Barrie Cox did a study of English tavern names recorded between 1423-1426, and found that 80% of their names derived from some form of heraldic symbol .
The history of pubs can be traced to taverns in Roman Britain, and through Anglo-Saxon alehouses, but it was not until the early 19th century that pubs, as they are today, first began to appear.
