Barbers’ shops were once resorted to by idlers, in order to pass away their time, and a system of forfeits prevailed, nominally to enforce order, but in practice to promote the sale of drink. They are referred to in “Measure for Measure.”
“Laws for all faults, But laws so countenanced that the strong statutes Stand like the forfeits in a barber’s shop As much in mock as mark.”
Dr. Kenrick professes to have copied the following list of forfeits in a shop near Northallerton:
First come, first served--then come not late; And when arrived keep your state; For he who from these rules shall swerve Must pay the forfeits--so observe.
Who enters here with boots and spurs, Must keep his nook; for if he stirs, And gives with armed heel a kick, A pint he pays for every prick.
Who rudely takes another’s turn, A forfeit mug may manners learn.
Who reverentless shall swear or curse, Must lug seven farthings from his purse.
Who checks the barber in his tale, Must pay for each a pot of ale.
Who will or cannot miss his hat While trimming, pays a pint for that.
And he who can or will not pay, Shall hence be sent half trimm’d away, For will he, nill he, if in fault, He forfeit must in meal or malt. But mark who is already in drink, The cannikin must never clink.”
As the restrictions on travelling gradually disappeared many of the alehouses developed into inns. As early as 1349, a statute of Edward III, requiring those who entertained travellers to be content with moderate prices, recognizes the class of _Herbergers_[11] or keepers of unlicensed hostelries. And these inns as a class are deserving of close study from the difficult problem of determining their exact age. Some of them may have existed as alehouses during the Saxon period; some may even stand on the sites of Roman _tabernae_.
The oldest of all inn signs of this class is the _Chequers_, found throughout England, but especially in the neighbourhood of old Roman roads. This sign is found on many houses at Pompeii, and was throughout Europe the common indication of a money-changer’s office. Hence our Court of the Exchequer, which concerned itself with the national funds and their collection. The chess-board was the most primitive form of ready reckoner; and as the innkeeper was the person best qualified to act as money-changer he readily undertook the business. Small tradesmen still send their assistants to the public-house when they require to change a sovereign. Many heraldic shields are painted with checks, and Brand, in his “Popular Antiquities,” suggested that the Chequers represent the coat of arms of the Earls of Warrenne, on the supposition that a member of this family in the reign of Edward IV possessed the exclusive right of granting licences. It is absolutely certain that no such licence was ever authorised. Nothing of the kind was ever attempted before Sir Giles Mompesson in the reign of James I; but, of course, some “chequers” may possibly have a heraldic origin.