Hidden Henley

A puzzling decoration high up in the Market Place, Henley-on-Thames

High up in the eaves of this building are these three sets of decorations and they evidently date back to when there was a hotel located under here, in the pedestrianised part of the Market Place. Mounted on the corner building alongside are signs saying Market Place and under it a pointer sign with Baptist Church (see last week’s subject!) but perhaps it would be correct to describe the area as Falaise Square. It’s directly opposite The Three Tuns. For a considerable time it was Patisserie Valerie, but it’s currently a wine bar named The Cheesy Grape.

So here is my puzzle. What are these decorative embellishments – one in each of the three triangular panels? One is the Henley town symbol with a crown and the letter “H”. Another is the emblem of the Prince of Wales or feathers and this was once the Feathers Hotel, so that too makes sense. But the third seems to depict thunder and lightning and I’m at a loss to uncover what it means. Can anyone reading this help? Strangely, back in the late 19^th century the non-alcohol Temperance Hotel was right next door. However, the Feathers Hotel itself was closed and demolished in the early 20^th century after an order of the licensing magistrate was served on it.