Q&A ABOUT SYCAMORE HARLEY-DAVIDSON'S LOGO

Q: Why did you choose an upside-down horseshoe?
A: This is the symbol of the county of Rutland, which is also the smallest county in England.

Q: I thought it was considered unlucky to hang a horseshoe upside down.
Why is Rutland's symbol always shown this way?
A: The symbol is connected with the unique horseshoes hung in Oakham Castle and they are all hung with the open end at the base.
They represent a very ancient custom by which any peer of the realm must forfeit a horseshoe on their first visit to the county by order of the Lord of the Manor.
The oldest was placed there in 1470.

Q: Where did the name Rutland come from?
A: Rutland was first mentioned as a county in the reign of King John (1199-1215) but it is likely that part of this area had already been known as Rutland, or Roteland for several hundred years by then. Certainly King Ethelred granted his wife Emma dower lands called Roteland in 1002. The word itself dates from Anglo-Saxon times and almost definitely derived from 'das Rote Land' meaning 'the Red Land', a reference to the ironstone still found in the southern part of the county. An alternative suggestion however is that there was a chief called Rota who gave his name to the area in Anglo-Saxon times.

Extract from The Times Newspaper, 31 March 1997: "This Monday the Times of London carried an article on the restoration of old counties in the United Kingdom. Specifically, it focused on the county of Rutland, the smallest in the country, it was said. The restoration of Rutland was to be celebrated by a flag-hoisting ceremony (and much more in addition).
Here is a quotation from the article:

"A green banner emblazoned with a golden horseshoe in a ring of acorns will be hoisted proudly tomorrow to show that the smallest county in England has been officially restored to the map. The horseshoe has been the symbol of Rutland at least since William the Conqueror gave the 125-square-mile estate to Baron Henri de Ferrers, whose family gave its name to farriers. One of his privileges was to claim the forfeit of a horseshoe from anyone of rank visiting his lordship in Oakham, where the castle has a collection presented by monarchs and lords dating back to the 15th century. The custom persists to this day and proud Raddlemen, as natives are known, point to it as proof that they are a race apart.

The flag-raising ceremony will mark the end of 23 years of overlordship by neighbouring Leicestershire, into which Rutland was forcibly incorporated in 1974. Under the leadership of Sir Kenneth Ruddle, the brewing magnate, the tiny county had fought off two previous postwar attempts to abolish it, but its defences crumbled before the bureaucratic logicality of Lord Redcliffe-Maud when he redrew shire boundaries."

Extract from http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/news/rutland070303.php (25.02.2003): "The Prince of Wales enjoyed a warm Rutland welcome when he paid his first visit to Oakham. Hundreds of people lined the town’s Market Place to greet the Prince before he entered Oakham Castle to take part in the tradition of presenting a horseshoe.
For over 500 years it has been customary for every peer of the realm to ‘forfeit’ a horseshoe to The Lord of The Manor.
The Prince’s horseshoe, which was decorated in gold leaf and displayed The Prince of Wales’s feathers, was specially made by a local blacksmith. More than 200 horseshoes are displayed on the walls of Oakham Castle with the oldest believed to have been given by Edward IV in 1470. Earlier in the day, His Royal Highness visited the Grainstore Brewery in Oakham, where he was shown traditional ale making. The brewery was set up in a derelict Victorian grainstore in 1995 by two friends, Tony Davis and Mike Davies, who renovated the old three-storey building into a traditional tower brewhouse. The Grainstore currently brews up to 60 barrels a week.
The newest brew, named the Rutland Welcome, was made specially to commemorate The Prince’s visit. After pulling a pint of Rutland Welcome, His Royal Highness stayed to chat with locals in the bar. "

Extract from http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/rutland.html: "RUTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL. ARMS: Vert semée of Acorns a Horseshoe Or.
CREST: On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a Horseshoe an Acorn Or leaved and slipped proper.
Motto 'MULTUM IN PARVO'-Much in little.
Granted 1st May 1950.
On 31st March 1974 the administrive County of Rutland was abolished and the County was administered as part of Leicestershire.
The Rutland District Council used the arms of the old County Council. Since 1st April 1998 the County has been administered by the Rutland County Council which is a unitary authority.
The green shield represents the County's agriculture, especially its rich pasture land and the acorn exemplifies the former forest land which at one time covered much of the County, especially on the south side. The horseshoe represents the County's history and hunting association, and recalls the unique collection of horseshoes presented by royalty, peers of the realm, and noblemen passing through the County, which hang on the walls of the famous Castle Hall at Oakham. The motto bears witness to the efficiency and importance of England's smallest county."

Please do not reproduce this image without permission from Rutland Council.

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