Dun Cow

Although the Dun Cow doesn't sound a particularly romantic choice for Valentine's Day, there is a loving theme to this pub name.

Guy of Warwick was a 13th Century figure a bit like Robin Hood - half-fact, half legend. He was a lowly knight in love with a high born lady and, in order to prove himself to her, he embarked on a series of battles against mythical beasts. One of these beasts was a dun cow belonging to a giant which doesn't, on the face of it, sound particularly heroic.

Websites claim that a horn from this cow is held at Harwich Castle but an archaeology website says the castle no longer exists and the town's website makes no mention.

Guy of Warwick married his lady-love but, sadly, the story does not have a happy ending. He felt so guilty about his violent past that he eventually went on pilgrimage and lived the rest of days as a hermit.

The most famous Dun Cow is surely in Sedgefield, Co Durham, claimed by former Prime Minister Tony Blair as his local.

If you have any more love stories connected with pub names, I'd love to hear them. Either post here or contact me through my website, Complete Text

Taken from A Book About Pub Names by Elaine Saunders. For a preview, free articles and details of how to buy, visit Complete Text at the link above.