Free Houses

During my time in England, I've not driven through a village that doesn't have at least one pub. Perhaps that is why the writings of Samuel Pepys describe the pub as the heart of England.

Regrettably, today the number of pubs is in rapid decline, perhaps due to competition from chain restaurants and hotels (the landowner's wife having offered cooked meals, nights lodgings and simple entertainment such as chess games, skittles, billiards and darts in addition to functioning as a bar). Another explanation for the closing of pubs might be that modern society is finding its identity more with continental coffee shops springing up throughout the land. A third explanation offered by pub owners for having left the business was the April 2006 ban on smoking in all enclosed public places in England.

The ambiance that this part of British history provides would be sorely missed should pubs give way to international shops - one such feature being their decorative signs. It was in 1393 that King Richard II required pubs 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 forfeit his ale.' This was in order to make pubs easily visible to passing inspectors, borough ale tasters, who would decide the quality of the ale they provided. William Shakespeare's father, John Shakespeare was one such inspector. Another reason for the decorative signs was that during the Middle Ages a large percentage of the population was illiterate and so pictures on a sign were useful as a means of identifying a public house. Later, pub names (such as the Lakeside Pub, the Nutshell, the Olde Fighting Cocks)were derived from the illustration on the public house's sign.

Formerly, pubs were controlled by breweries and so the publican (manager of the pub, employee of the brewery) was restricted in the variety of brews on tap - known as a 'tied house'. But some entrepreneurs ventured out on their own - selling alcohol produced by competing breweries. These establishments became known as 'free houses'.

Perhaps the best representation of pubs is carried by the theme song from that 1980s American television programme, Cheers. 'Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got; Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came....'

My heartfelt wish is that you have such a place in your life - a place where you are known and where they are glad you came.