London Day 3

The Eagle and Child (C.S. Lewis Pub)
It has become the destination for literary pilgrimages because of its reputation as the haunt of the Inklings from 1939 to 1962. The Inklings was a writers' group which included J. R. R. Tolkien (of Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fame) and C. S. Lewis. They met there every Tuesday morning to drink and talk, usually in an area at the back of the pub, which was then a private sitting room and is now known as the Rabbit Room. Contrary to popular impression (and also contrary to the plaque posted in the pub), the Inklings did not read their manuscripts to each other in the pub: these readings took place at evening meetings usually in Lewis's college rooms. The Inklings changed allegiance in 1962 by moving across St Giles' to the Lamb and Flag pub, but it is the Eagle and Child's Rabbit Room that attracts visitors. It has become something of a mark of distinction for Tolkien fans to make a "pilgrimage" (as a Mecca of sorts) to the Eagle and Child, even if they live in a different continent.
The Rabbit Room bears a plaque which is much photographed, and there are photos and other mementos of the writers on the walls.
More recently, the pub became known as the regular watering hole of Colin Dexter, who created Inspector Morse.
(Wikipedia)

Library at Oxford

Comments

Anonymous said…
Good that you made a pilgrimmage to the pub of renown. Next: the Anglican church where Alpha had its origin...

Curious what theme is tying the various choices of sights.

dad h.
Anonymous said…
The Eagle and the Child became the Bird and the Babe for the Inklings. I'm enjoying the travelog.

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