London, Blackfriars. In the late 13th century Edward I commanded the site to be used to accommodate the Franciscan Friars. The first mention of an inn was 1352 - The Oakburn Inn. The priory was closed during the Dissolution the Monasteries by Henry VIII. The Blackfriars Gatehouse became a private house and was used as a safe house during the reign of Elizabeth I and tunnels in the cellars provided passage for persecuted Catholics. There has been a pub here since the 16th century, and at one time William Shakespeare owned a house nearby. The current pub was established in 1825 (1860?) and was notorious as a cockfighting venue (the balcony upstairs was where the crowd gathered to watch). The corner triangular shaped exterior lies between two small streets and has a lovely rounded door entrance, Inside is a small pub decorated with lots of red, statues/photos of cocks, and a display of old tankards. The small bar at the back formerly featured beers from Courage but is now a free house and I enjoyed a pint of Harvey's Sussex Best (Lewes).