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Sign for the Britannia Inn

Britannia was the Roman name for Britain. First mention of the symbolic female figure occurs in the diaries of Samuel Pepys, and refers to a medal struck in 1665. The model for the figure was Frances Stewart, a mistress of Charles II, later Duchess of Richmond. Britannia, resting on her familiar shield, had earlier appeared on Roman coins. Some pub signs make use of the traditional coin representation, many others refer in some way to a ship which has been named Britannia.

For a wider view of the inn ST6316 : The Britannia Inn, Sherborne