The news has been so dull this week we might as well continue to pursue last week's investigations concerning the historical value of English pub names. If nothing else it may prompt readers to recall some of the more exotic inns where they have supped ale. It beats politics anyway.
You can learn a fair bit of local history from pub names. Everyone is familiar with standard English names such as Red Lion, White Hart, The Swan, the Plough and White Horse. Many have a royal flavour such as the Royal Oak, the Crown and the George and the Victoria.
The Royal Oak became particularly popular after Prince Charles (later King Charles II) escaped from Oliver Cromwell and his Roundheads by hiding up an oak tree in a Staffordshire wood. It became a celebrated event and Royal Oak pubs sprouted up throughout England. We've even got one in Bangkok.
