As I was running some errands in Cambridge this morning, I passed the Eagle pub and caught sight of a tour guide enthralling a group of tourists with its colourful history.
Originally a sixteenth century coaching inn, its main claims to fame are more recent. In the RAF bar, you can see graffiti and signatures burned into the ceiling with candles and lighters by airmen stationed near Cambridge during World War 2.
The Eagle was also frequented by James Watson and Francis Crick while they were working on DNA in 1953. It's said that Crick walked into the Eagle and announced, "We have found the secret of Life".
But the story I always find most moving is the one behind this little window that looks onto the courtyard. The legend is that about 300 years ago, there was a fire in the pub and two children died in this room because the window was locked. Ever since, it has been written into the lease that this window must always remain open. If anyone tries to close it, they are overwhelmed by a suffocating feeling and/or a fire will break out (depending on which version of the story you hear...
The photo is taken from under the arch leading into the courtyard. it is actually very pretty and colourful with the hanging baskets full of flowers, but I've tried to give it a slightly more spooky feel to capture its tragic past.
Your composition is wonderful, it caught my eye right away. I love the monotone coloring. And I love the history, thanks for sharing it. I am thrilled to see the place where Watson and Crick hung out. As a biology major in the 60's those guys were our heros.
Oh, Helen, you really did a wonderful job composing the shot as well as editing it to fit your commentary. I just love that you found the perfect place to stand to get this photo. Not too many 300 year old buildings, let alone, pubs in the U.S...though1 hour down the road from me is William and Mary College, the 2nd oldest college in the US...built in the late 1600s. http://www.wm.edu/about/history/index.php
There's always something interesting to read in your posts! :)