This week is Open House week which gives me an opportunity to get behind the doors of some interesting and historic buildings. Lincoln's Inn is one of those buildings. I have posted photos of it before but I've never been inside until today.
The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is an association of barristers and judges and is one of the four historic Inns of Court. The Inns have the exclusive right to call students to the Bar of England and Wales, the start of their career as barristers. It is not known when Lincoln's Inn first emerged but records go back as far as 1422. The 11 acre site has a number of Grade I and II listed buildings.
The oldest surviving building on the site is the Old Hall. It was built in 1489-92 with bricks made of local clay. Between 1737 and 1875 it was used as the Court of Chancery and is featured in Bleak House by Charles Dickens. It had to be almost rebuilt in the 1920s. Great care was taken to retain as much of the original building as possible.
This wooden screen dates from 1624. Originally it was in a different position and divided the hall providing an entrance to the kitchen and cellars. It included a minstrels gallery, from which musicians would play to entertain guests during dinners and other events.
This is the Great Hall, built in 1843-45 and opened by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
The walls are filled with the coats of arms of Treasurers of the Inn and senior judges. looking around I found the names of a number of Prime Ministers including Neville Chamberlain, Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair. and so on. A large number of PMs were barristers before going into politics.
From the Great Hall you walk into the library which was built at the same time as the hall.
Looking back towards the Great Hall you can see portraits of members on the wall including Tony Blair (Labour PM 1997-2007) and on the other side Margaret Thatcher (Conservative PM 1979-1990).
The book collection is the oldest law library in the country.
Wow, what a stunner. A bit east from Covent Garden. Shallow as I am, what struck me was that the dining chairs don't look very comfortable.
ReplyDeleteThe stained glass is beautiful, with such rich colour and detail.
ReplyDeleteThe Law is not a subject that ever interested me (and my activities have never interested them, I'm glad to say!), however that is a magnificent building and I'm glad you took the opportunity to visit and take such detailed pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhy were the pews in the chapel enclosed?
ReplyDeleteFascinating!
ReplyDeleteAmazing how nice and well looked after it all looks.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had an amazing experience exploring Lincoln's Inn! The history and architecture of such historic buildings are always fascinating, especially knowing that the Old Hall dates back to the late 15th century and has connections to literary history through Charles Dickens. It must have been incredible to walk through a place with such rich heritage. Thanks for sharing your visit! By the way, I just shared a new post on my blog. I’d be thrilled if you checked it out (https://www.melodyjacob.com/2024/09/how-to-choose-unique-bespoke-engagement-rings.html)!
ReplyDeleteAn amazing piece of history. Glad you were able to visit and get such lovely pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazingly old building and still in use. I used to like open house day but trekking around the city is too much for us now.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post ! Have never seen such a building, it's huge ! How nice that it was open for the public and you had the opportunity to visit. I am still waiting for your pictures from the Garda Lake :) !
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing, I enjoyed all of your photographs.
ReplyDeleteThose stained glass windows are beautiful.
All the best Jan