We freshened up at our Airbnb flat and headed across the Thames to the Lambeth/Vauxhall district, the former site of Kennington Palace. This is not to be confused with Kensington Palace where Princess Diana last resided.
Kennington Palace was the London residence of the Black Prince, part of his estates as the Duke of Cornwall. He made extensive renovations to it 1340-50. The manor is still part of the Duchy of Cornwall estates and Prince Charles currently holds that title.
The pub has a typical decor with a few nods to the medieval period including King Edward's quartered coat of arms and a fabulous bronze etching of the Black Prince in his jupon. Conspicuously missing, however, is the Black Prince's badge of three white ostrich feathers on a black background with his motto, Ich Dien.
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| King Edward III Coat of Arms |
The area around the BP pub is comprised of many small brick buildings of flats which house the staff of Buckingham Palace. Factoid compliments of a friendly chap we met at the pub.
After a couple of pints, our dinner arrived. We had both ordered braised lamb shanks & mashers served with green beans. I meant to take a photo but when the food arrived, we dug in so fast there was no time for pics! Needless to say, the meal was fantastic!
Sidebar: Henry "Hotspur" Percy was the son of the first Earl of Northumberland. The Percy family was recognized for their role in protecting the north of England from Scottish invasions. Sir Henry was knighted in 1377 by King Edward III along with two of his grandson's Henry Bolingbroke and Richard of Bordeaux, the BP's son who became King Richard II. "Hotspur" died in 1403 at the Battle of Shrewsbury, a rebellion against Bolingbroke, who had deposed his cousin Richard and crowned himself King Henry IV, sowing the seeds for the Wars of the Roses.
The Black Prince Pub was also a filming location for the 2014 film, Kingsman, starring Colin Firth.
P.S. There is another London pub, The Prince Edward, located in Notting Hill. We may have to stop in there too, however, there's no reference regarding which "Edward" the pub is named after.
Next, we head to Canterbury Cathedral where England's historians will gather for the Black Prince Conference, the original rationale for this trip. How could I not attend?
Pleased to hear all is going according to plan. Say "Hi" to the Black Prince from us in Arizona. Beautiful fall weather here in Tucson - mid 80's. Sounds like the English have improved their pub grub since Karen & I were there. jg
ReplyDeleteNah, they were just hungry.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the trip is off to a great start! How far is the current Kensington Palace from the one the Black Prince called home on occasion?
ReplyDeleteThe BP's palace was south of the Thames. Kensington Palace is north of the river and further west, about 4.4 miles away. In the 14th Century, the Tower of London was still the primary seat and the BP's Kennington was south of the Tower, across the river in the 'countryside' ... about 2.7 miles away.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, sounds like things are going well. I'm learning so much! Wonderful pictures too.
ReplyDelete