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            [Illustration: CHELMSFORD HIGH STREET IN 1762.

  (_Reduced by Photography from the Larger Engraving by J. Ryland._)]




                                  THE

                         TRADE SIGNS OF ESSEX:

                           A Popular Account

                                  OF

                        THE ORIGIN AND MEANINGS

                                OF THE

                      Public House & Other Signs

                            NOW OR FORMERLY

                     Found in the County of Essex.

                                  BY
                            MILLER CHRISTY,

                   _Author of “Manitoba Described,”
           “The Genus Primula in Essex,” “Our Empire,” &c._

                          WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.

                              Chelmsford:
         EDMUND DURRANT & CO., 90, HIGH STREET.

                                London:
          GRIFFITH, FARRAN, OKEDEN, AND WELSH,
                  WEST CORNER ST. PAUL’S CHURCHYARD.

                             MDCCCLXXXVII.

[Illustration]




PREFACE.

     “Prefaces to books [says a learned author] are like signs to
     public-houses. They are intended to give one an idea of the kind of
     entertainment to be found within.”


A student of the ancient and peculiarly interesting Art of Heraldry can
hardly fail, at an early period in his researches, to be struck with the
idea that some connection obviously exists between the various
“charges,” “crests,” “badges,” and “supporters” with which he is
familiar, and the curious designs now to be seen upon the sign-boards of
many of our roadside inns, and which were formerly displayed by most
other houses of