[1][2] One legend of its origin, generally considered mythical, is that three convicted criminals who had committed a crime together were due to be executed in Stafford gaol.

The seal, on which four knots appear tied on a string around her coat of arms, is now in the British Museum.

[4] The knot appears on a drawing of the standard of Sir Henry de Stafford, which was flown c. 1475.

[4][1][6] Future earls of Stafford retained the knot for use on heraldic badges, although the exact date of use is unknown.

It was discarded by some as too dangerous, as the knot could slip if not tied correctly, and indeed, its use led to multiple deaths by haemorrhage.

The Smiler,[10] a roller coaster at Alton Towers, has a combined section of track known as the "Stafford/Staffordshire Knot", consisting of a cobra roll entwined with a batwing.

In an article published in the Birmingham Evening Mail on 1 June 1965, journalist Roy Smith described plans for the Gravelly Hill Interchange as "like a cross between a plate of spaghetti and an unsuccessful attempt at a Staffordshire knot", with the headline above the article on the newspaper's front page, written by sub-editor Alan Eaglesfield, reading "Spaghetti Junction".