The Red Lion (2) - sign, 251 Worcester Road, Droitwich Spa

Image: © P L Chadwick Taken: 3 Nov 2012

The pub is a Banks's Brewery house and like the majority of them, it has the standard Banks's sign with a large golden lion and the pub name in small letters. This could be a bit confusing as the pub is the Red Lion, but its name is displayed in large lettering on the outside of the building. The Red Lion remains the most common name given to public houses. The name derives from King James VI of Scotland, who inherited the English throne in 1603, on the death of Queen Elizabeth I. He became King James I of England, and to reinforce his authority to rule, he decreed that all public buildings (including taverns) must display a heraldic red lion in a prominent position. This resulted in many pubs acquiring the Red Lion name. It's unlikely that this particular Red Lion pub was around in the 17th century, but the tradition of giving this name to pubs seems to have carried on for a long time. According to The Inn Sign Society's website, there are thought to be about 600 Red Lion pubs still in business, and over the years many more of the same name have closed. Image Image

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