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'God and my right' is the translation of 'Dieu et mon droit' as seen on the bottom of the British Royal Coat of Arms. 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' is the motto on the Order of the Garter (the bit round the shield) and means 'Evil to him who evil thinks'. Now all of this is a bit grand to be above the entrance to Costa Coffee, but that's what's coming our way. The building that used to be the Dobells pub is going to be turned into a coffee shop. I know what your thinking - all this is a bit grand to be above the door of a pub. And you're right. The building, which faces onto the Promenade, is on the back of the former County Court and my dad reckons that this Coat of Arms is above what used to be the former entrance to the judges residence. A bit more fitting.
Another thing about the Royal Coat of Arms - on the left of the shield is the English Lion and on the right is the Unicorn of Scotland. The unicorn is chained because in Medieval times it was believed that a free unicorn was a dangerous beast, only to be tamed by virgins!
I'm not sure if all this means that Costa Coffee will have the Royal Seal of Approval!
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13 comments:
Fascinating stuff. We actually have a Costa coffee here as a franchise in Waterstones. Unicorns dangerous beasts Surely not. Just need a espresso.
Very nice picture, and many thanks for all the explanations.
That's really cool to reuse this building from courts to commerce. Thanks for the explanations of the mottoes. That coffee has a lot to live up to.
I don't think it too grand. Much more pleasing that some tacky neon junk that you see everywhere now.
I agree with all of the above, and thanks for the photos and research. I'm all for reusing great buildings as opposed to tearing them down. If it's for Costa Coffee, that's just fine, as long as it's well cared for.
Are there any virgins left in Cheltenham?
Now why is it that all the chains seem to get such lovely historic buildings.
the pub hoppers must surely be feeling regal!
This is a great post... interesting stuff
This coat of arms gives that coffee shop a lot of class!
So interesting! Thanks for teaching us about the royal coat of arms! I guess the coffee place inherited a grand history.
Evil to him who evil thinks'.
That is great! and totally current. Only virgins can tame unicorns? Amazing. I love this kind of stuff. Can you imagine? This was surely erected with all kind of celebration, now no one knows what it even means. Great detective work. You are drinking for history!
Thanks for taking the time to help, I really apprciate it.
Royal Coat
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