Thursday, October 8, 2009

The Crown and Beaver

If I were a proud owner of an English public house, that, gentlemen, would be its name. In obeyance to King Richard II, who enacted in 1393 legislation stating "Whosoever shall brew ale in the town with intention of selling it must hang out a sign, otherwise he shall forfeit his ale", I would happily hang my heart and soul, The Crown and Beaver.

fpcCan-DominionOfCanadaCoatOfArms1712-p1912
The Dominion Coat of Arms, 1908

The pub is a central part of English-speaking life and culture, and one of the glories of good living with good food and drink and a jovial social atmosphere. Regulars at my pub would regularly toast the Queen, test the loyalty of new visitors and expose clandestine republicans through jokes, puns, teasing, wit, banter and backchat. They would quickly learn how to celebrate the Crown in the spirit of a good time was had by all.
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2 comments:

  1. Laci the Chinese CrestedOctober 9, 2009 at 7:59 PM

    Alas, but the pub is dying out. A couple of my locals (King's Head and Eight Bells and Ennismore Arms) are no longer. The first an Itlian Restaurant and the second a private home.

    Pub signs are now being sold as decoration for US bars.

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  2. AnonymousOctober 10, 2009 at 6:28 PM

    Ah those Americans,carrion-fowls feasting on the festering wounds of a decaying Europe. Said Dr Johnson: I am willing to love all mankind, except an American"

    ReplyDelete