Toasting the Inklings

In the middle of Friday afternoon we returned to the Eagle & Child Pub, where we were able to be seated in the Rabbit Room. This was the very room at the back of the pub where C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams and other members of The Inklings would meet on a regular basis. It was hard to believe that we were sitting having a meal in the same room that was frequented by the authors of the Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings and The Place of the Lion.

On the wall in the Rabbit Room were pictures of some of the Inklings, and of most interest to me was an original letter signed by many of these same writers. I think it would have been fascinating to have sat in on one of their sessions, if one could keep up with these intellectual giants quoting ancient sources, referring to academic ideas, challenging one another - engaging in passionate debate.

I thought of how each of these authors I have mentioned have influenced me over the years, and how they were focussed for a period of time in this little room. There is nothing about the room that would speak of the hugeness of their ideas and imaginations, it is simply another room in another British Pub, but for us it was a vivid reminder of some great authors. So I toasted the work and memories of the Inklings, and enjoyed a fine meal besides.

Perhaps it was the inspiration of eating in the Rabbit Room of the Eagle & Child, but the very next thing we did was head to Blackwells, a huge bookstore in Oxford. In order to get an idea of what this place is like, think of a large Chapters, then double or triple the size, and fill it will mostly academic books on a wide range of topics. The religion section along was the size of whole bookstores back home. I found a sale box (an especially dangerous thing) and in it found the Oxford Complete History of Christianity on for half price! It is a good thing I had a limited amount of time to spend in that store. As it was I came out with a handful of books, including one that promises to be interesting reading, an analysis of C.S. Lewis’ writings called Planet Narnia. Both Harry Maier and Bryan Hillis suggested I had to check Blackwells out, and their suggestion was right on - it is a book lover’s paradise.