It would be clear from this that its sign was the "Bell and Hoop,"
before it became the property of the Savage family, from whom there
can be no doubt it got its name of "La Belle Savage." According to
Stow, Mrs. Isabella Savage gave the inn to the Cutlers' Company, but
this would seem to be incorrect, for more recent research has proved
definitely that it was a John Craythorne who did so in 1568. The
crest of the Cutlers' Company is the Elephant and Castle, and a
stone bas-relief of it, which once stood over the gateway of the inn
under the sign of the Bell, is still to be seen on the east wall of
La Belle Savage Yard to-day. It was placed there some fifty years
ago when the old inn was demolished.

[illustration: La Belle Sauvage Inn, Ludgate Hill. From a
drawing by T. Hosmer Shepherd]

Years before Craythorne presented the inn to the Cutlers' Company,
however, it was known as "La Belle Sauvage," for we are told that
Sir Thomas Wyatt, the warrior poet, in 1554 made his last stand
with his Kentish men against the troops of Mary just in front of
the ancient inn, "La Belle Sauvage." He was attempting to capture
Ludgate and was driven back with some thousands of rebel followers
to Temple Bar, where he surrendered himself to Sir Maurice Berkeley,
and so sealed his own fate and that of poor Lady Jane Grey.

Again, in 1584, the inn was described as "Ye Belle Sauvage," and
there have been many speculations as to the origin of the name, and
some doubt as to the correct spelling.

In 1648 and 1672 exhibitions of landlords' tokens of various inns
were held, whereat were shown two belonging to "La Belle Sauvage,"