The Baby with the Bathwater.

I know that I have mentioned pubs and one of the strong reasons that Oxford would be so good for me. While it that is true, it is important to know that it is because of the history, certainly not the real ale. This falls under the same kind of confession as when I was young and would tell anyone who asked that “Yes, I did read Playboy, but it was for the articles.” Yeah, that’s it! It pub history that interests me.

Case in point:

There is a pub here called the “Eagle and the Child.” This is one of the most famous pubs in Oxford and perhaps all of the UK. It’s claim to fame is that for years it was the meeting place for CS Lewis and RR Tolkien. They met as the Inklings” in the back once a week for a few pints and lots of discussion. We know that they discussed their writings, from “”the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to the “Lord of the Rings.” Of course this pub has, because of the status of these genius of creative fantasy, become a popular destination for not only fantasy readers but also the general public.

People come for around the world to have a drink in the glorious memorial to their idols. The pub, realizing that it was too small for the current crowds took the famous back room opened up to the garden for more seating. Now if you make the pilgrimage to have a drink in the famous room, you can’t its not there. But, there is now room to sit.

This may be a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. The world knows it as the “Eagle and the Child,” as ageing sign out front proclaims. But, to the students of Oxford it is known as the “Bird and the Baby.”



S: c: 2195 s: 12235
M: c 1615 s: 17426
T: c: 1640 s: 21382
W: c: 1675 s: 14480
T: c: 1830 s: 11707
F: c: 2620 s: 14302
S: c: 3200 s: 12912

Total c: 14775 s: 104444 wkly c: -5442