There has been a settlement at Sherston since at least 350 A.D. where its position just 2 miles from the major Roman highway, The Fosse Way, would have given it excellent connections with the rest of Roman Britain. The Rattlebone Inn itself was built in the late 17th Century on the site of the old village market place, and is named after the legendary 11th Century Saxon Warrior John Rattlebone. Sherstonians have always believed that Rattlebone was a famed local Saxon warrior who fought for King Edmund Ironside against the Viking Canute in the battle of Sherston in 1016 A.D. - Sherston at the time was on the border between Wessex (historically Saxon) and Mercia (Viking). The name Rattlebone probably comes from the Saxon habit of wearing bags of bones around their necks instead of armour which was far too expensive for your average warrior farmer!   John Rattlebone is said to have been mortally wounded, but managed to staunch his wound with a stone tile from the local quarry, and help win the battle before finally dying (all very heroic!). There is a belief that the ghost of John Rattlebone haunts the pub to this day, and at least one female bar maid has reported a mysterious presence in her room. This may however be wishful thinking.