Site of the castle XVII Century Tavern
{17th century}
Odd that 'castle' lacks a capital letter. The text and the framing for this sculpture are modern. It would be interesting to know where it was before being displayed here.
The Museum of London, on a page about a wooden tavern sign gives: "Hanging shop, business and tavern signs were particularly popular in the 18th and early 19th century when literacy levels were low and customers were not always able to read written signs." They have two other tavern signs, which seems to be of stone or ceramic, but they are low relief plaques. Our Castle is in deep relief, more like a sculpture. The modelling is detailed and looks to be in good condition so we think it is likely to be quite recent, perhaps late Victorian, and would have been firmly fixed in an alcove of the facade of the pub.
The pub was still in situ in 1899 - we need someone to find a photo or drawing of it.
Site: Castle Tavern - EC2 (1 memorial)
EC2, Gresham Street, 11
