WHITE
HORSE - 5
Here we give a snapshot of the art, imagery and symbolism of the
white horse over the centuries.
Artists, such as Gauguin, Constable and Munnings have immortalised
the white horse in their canvases and others in their pub signs,
the latter still in use outside hostelries throughout Britain;
and some in America where the imagery was taken by the early settlers.
Gauguin,
Constable and Munnings depiction of the white horse
THE
WHITE HORSE IN ART
Pub
Signs King Richard II passed a law in 1393 whereby all hostelries
had to hang a sign outside their premises to facilitate
the official inspection of the ale they were selling.
Here are some examples, the one on the bottom right taken
from the logo of White
Horse Inn, a nationally syndicated radio talk show
in America comprising a round-table discussion on Christian
Theology and Apologetics.The story behind the naming of
the show is fascinating and a full account has been written
up by
Shane Rosenthal. In brief, the White Horse Inn was
on the campus of King's College, Cambridge, England where
in circa 1520 a group of English scholars met regularly
to discuss Martin Luther's writings. These meetings over
ale went on to become the spark which kindled the 'fire'
of the Reformation, leading ultimately to the martyrdom
of most of those who attended. In the words of one writer
these men "would offer their lives to procure the
truths of faith that they rallied for over pints of ale
in that Cambridge pub", the White Horse Inn.
Whitbread
white hosre sign from the Brian Timms Collection
We
hope you have found this compendium helpful. Should you
find any major ommission or error please contact the editor:
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here . We still want to have information on White
Horse Symbolism in America - perhaps you can help?
