White Bear - High Road, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, UK.
N 51° 44.711 W 000° 01.159
30U E 705763 N 5736901
The use of the bear in a pub sign is as common as it is varied in its history.
Waymark Code: WMBMGN
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 06/02/2011
Views: 2
There are many reasons why the bear may be used on a pub sign but few certainties.
Where a bear is depicted, brown or black, it will often be a reflection of the "sport" of bear baiting indicating that this was something that could be seen in the vicinity. A bear was chained to a post and dogs set on it. For this reason where a bear is seen in the picture chained to a post there can be some certainty that this is the origin of the sign. UNLESS there is a heraldic connection to a local landowner or other dignitary of the day. The bear or bear and ragged staff was often a feature of coats of arms. The colour of the bear may have been significant. Or may have been simply a random choice.
As pub signs are re-painted, where the sign simply refers to a bear the colour may change at the whim of the publican or the sign painter.
This bear is a white one, known to people in this part of Europe much later than brown or black bears.
Name of Artist: Not known.
Date of current sign: Not known.
Date of first pub on site: Not known.
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