Lincoln's Inn Old Hall

Spent a lovely afternoon with Kathy (chantler63) in London visiting Lincoln's Inns of Court, home to The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, many barrister's chambers and several solicitor's offices. 

I met Kathy for lunch in The Knights Templar bar in Chancery Lane before wandering round this fascinating area of London, rich in architecture and history.

My photo is of Lincoln's Inn Old Hall - not normally open to the public but, somehow, we managed to persuade a lovely gentleman to let us have a look round! The Old Hall dates back to the 1490s, when it replaced the smaller Bishops Hall. The Hall was significantly altered over the centuries and in 1800 the impressive oak beams were covered by a curved plaster ceiling. In 1924, after fears that the weight of the plaster would cause the roof to collapse, Sir John Simpson dismantled the entire hall. During the following three years, the warped timbers were straightened, the plaster removed and the Hall was fully restored to its former glory. It was reopened on 22 November 1928 by Queen Mary.

As well as revels and feasts, one notable diner being Sir Thomas More, the Old Hall was used as a court. Between 1717 and 1724 the Master of the Rolls sat here whilst the Rolls Court was being rebuilt and in 1733 Lord Talbot, the Lord Chancellor, used it as a court. It also housed the Court of Chancery from 1737 until the opening of the Royal Courts of Justice.

The painting on the North wall is Hogarth's biblical canvas of "Paul before Felix", commissioned after a bequest to the Inn of £200 by Lord Wyndham in 1745.

The Hall featured in the opening scene of Dicken's Bleak House, which opens with  "London. Michaelmas Term lately over, and the Lord Chancellor sitting in Lincoln's Inn Hall". 

Today, the Hall is used for examinations, lectures and social functions.