Contributed by Mary Jensen, who knows much more about this genre than I do
It is common for fantasy characters to visit establishments such as inns and taverns. After all, everyone needs to eat and sleep on their travels. But do you know the difference between the two?
Inns
Definition: An inn is an establishment for food, drink, and lodging. They are a way station for travelers, as well as a community meeting place. They have been known to provide entertainment.
History: Inns have been around since the famous Roman highways. Some inns in Europe are centuries old. Originally they had to provide stabling and care for mounts—not a modern requirement, but one that would likely still apply in your fantasy world.
Terms: The person who runs the inn is generally called an innkeeper. Other names for the owner are boniface, piper, or innholder. A boot-catcher is the person at an inn whose sole business is pulling off customer’s boots. A chambermaid is a female servant who takes care of the rooms.
Alternate names: hotel, way station, lodge, hostel; Italian: locanda; German: Wirtshaus
Taverns
Definition: A tavern is a business that provides food and drinks but is not licensed to put up guests.
History: Gathering for social drinking in a tavern is a tradition dating at least to Sumer, all the way back to 3500 BC. In Sumer the tavern keeper was traditionally a woman, but it would vary in other cultures. For example, some places (such as early America) excluded women from taverns completely.
Terms: A woman who runs a tavern is an alewife. A drawer is the one who draws and serves liquor to customers. The owner can also be called a tapper, publican, or simply tavern keeper.
Alternate names: bar, pub (public house), alehouse; Italian: osteria; Dutch: kroeg
Now that you know the difference, you can use them properly in your own stories. It’s popular to name your establishments, but not necessary. Many of the early inns and taverns were not named, only referenced by who they belonged to. All they need is a general sign indicating what type of establishment they are. If you do decide to name your establishments, have fun with it. There are no set rules for inn/tavern names. Animals are common (The Bear, The Goose), but so are objects (The Tabard, The Sword). I like to pair an adjective and noun—The Lazy Barnacle, The Dancing Oyster, Grinning Goat Inn, The Weeping Artisan. Try making a list of adjectives, then a list of nouns, and randomly combining them. The working combinations are endless. For more inspiration, search online for inn and tavern names. Seeing what already exists may prompt ideas for your own.
About the Author:
Mary W. Jensen is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/
which is a site for creative writing.
She is an editor for the Writing.com Fantasy newsletter, and the cofounder of an offline writing group. Mary is writing a fantasy novel, Emergence of the Fey
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Jensen
http://EzineArticles.com/?Writing-About-Inns-and-Taverns-in-Fantasy&id=550921
Click Here to Subscribe
Entries (RSS)
May 5th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Inn is now used mainly as part of a noun: We stayed the night at the Bell Inn.
Other terms related to inn:
CARAVANSERAI; KHAN = Camp-site and inn for desert caravans.
VICTUALLER= (chiefly British) pub-owner. innkeeper.
OSTLER= (formerly) servant caring for guests’ horses at an inn.