Carpenters Arms
A common British pub name with historic legal disputes.
via Wikipedia: Carpenters Arms · see source
Carpenters Arms is a common British pub name, referring to a series of unrelated public houses across the United Kingdom. The first such establishment was based on a forfeit Carpenter Coat of Arms patent and supported by ale or beer producers around 1721. These alehouses helped create the first true British pubs, appealing to occupational men such as carpenters, once called wrights then woodwrights in England. Prior to this, pubs were ramshackled affairs often run from actual homes, appealing to local tastes. During the Victorian Age of 1837–1901, many pubs added 'Arms' to their names as a claim to higher status.
Quick Facts
- First recorded use
- circa 1721
- Number of identified establishments
- over 75
- Legal rulings period
- 1725 to 1734
- Victorian era
- 1837–1901
Facts from the source article.
Name conflict
English courts ruled from 1725 to 1734 that businesses could continue using 'Carpenters Arms' and similar names, provided they did not display the full patented arms or claim patronage without a contract.
Trade tokens
A former Carpenters Arms in Marlow, in a Grade II listed early 17th-century building, once issued a 15 mm copper farthing trade token bearing the Worshipful Company of Carpenters coat of arms. These quarter-penny tokens, along with half-penny tokens, were produced from about 1648 to at least 1673. In 2009, this pub was rebranded as an Irish bar called O'Donoghue's.
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