'The Silent Woman'

The following extract is taken from 'Some Notes for a History of Nocton' by Kate Norgate and Maurice Henry Footman (Page 23):

There was an 'old tavern where the buildings of the Manor Farm now stand; it was known as the "Silent Woman," and on the sign-board was a picture of a woman without a head.'

According to Wikipedia, the name 'Silent Woman, Quiet Lady or Headless Woman' has a number of theories,  'such as a landlady whose tongue was cut out by smugglers so she couldn't talk to the authorities, or a female saint beheaded for her Christianity. The pub signs sometimes have an image of a decapitated woman or the couplet: "Here is a woman who has lost her head / She's quiet now—you see she's dead".'

Another report on the origins of the name says: 'The headless woman on our sign is Judith, a seventh century saint who helped pilgrims on their way to a shrine in her village. Her family, constantly at odds with her religious persuasions, took her life by sword. According to the legend she picked up her head and carried it to the altar before she expired.'

In an age of illiteracy, the story was graphically represented by the politically incorrect logo you still see today.

There are still many “Quiet Woman” and “Silent Woman” pubs scattered throughout England.