The Bird Cage

One of my occasional series of the pubs of Thame taken during my weekly visit to Waitrose.

This is one of the most historic buildings in Thame, Grade II* listed.  Originally built as the first market house in the 13th century.  The oldest parts of today's building (the lower parts, obscured by a later lean-to, and the cellar, which may have been an early prison or a place to store arms and armour) are said to date from then.  The tallest part of the building (with massive elm corner post timbers, three stories oversailing on three sides, and two oriel windows with fine wooden tracery work) dates from about a century later.  It was an important building in the 14th century. The lower storey would have been open for use by the market traders, with the market being administered from the upper storeys.

It probably became an inn after the new market hall was built in the 15th century.

In 1529 it is named in a document as "The Cage".  In about 1600 it was rented by someone called Philip Bird, which may be when it became "Bird's Cage".

During the Napoleonic Wars most English towns were required to hold French prisoners of war, often in cellars. Bird's Cage housed 16 Napoleonic prisoners in 1805.  The current landlord discoverd a ball and chain of the period in the cellar during the recent redecoration.

The Bird Cage is now owned by the Unique Pub Co. who have their headquarters at Mill House on the outskirts of Thame.  Sadly it is currently closed.