Three Horseshoes Public House Sign, Knockholt Pound

Image: © N Chadwick Taken: 30 Aug 2010

The Three Horseshoes is the heraldic symbol of the Worshipful Company of Farriers a Fellowship since 1356, chartered in 1674. The assumption is that the design employed only three shoes as the other one was being worked on or replaced by the farrier. Pubs bearing this name were probably owned by the company or by its members. Some signs, however show horseshoes gathered around a stake in the ground, representing the horseshoe-throwing game which was popular at the time. Horseshoes have been used as pub signs for centuries. With a largely illiterate population visual signs were an important means of attracting customers and in 1393 Richard II issued an edict requiring all who brewed and sold ale to display a sign to enable the ale conner (tester - Shakespeare’s father was one) to locate the premises. A horseshoe sign was a popular choice because it was an easily recognisable symbol and had the added reputation of being able to combat witchcraft. It was also associated with good luck, a superstition to which Lord Nelson, himself widely featured on pub signs, subscribed. In addition to The Horseshoes and Three Horseshoes, there are pubs named Four Horseshoes, Five Horseshoes and Nine Horseshoes.

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