Who would have thought that Oxford has a pub with such a controversial history? Welcome to The Bear. It claims to be one of the oldest pubs in Oxford. Let’s explore the story behind this historic establishment.
The Bear’s history is a bit complex. The original Bear Inn wasn’t in this exact spot. It stood on the corner of High Street and Alfred Street. That’s a few hundred meters from here. By 1432 that original location was trading as an inn named Le Tabard. By 1457 it had changed its name to The Bear Inn.
This building where we are now used to house the inn’s stables. Later it became a house for the ostler. The ostler was the stableman who looked after the horses. In 1774 that house was converted into a pub in its own right. It was named The Jolly Trooper. For about 25 years the two inns operated separately. Then in 1801 the original Bear Inn on High Street was rebuilt as shops and housing. At that point The Jolly Trooper changed its name to The Bear. It began trading off the reputation of the former pub. It claimed to be the oldest pub in Oxford.
So is The Bear truly Oxford’s oldest pub? Some people argue that a pub changing its name and location means it’s not the same establishment. But I’ll leave you to decide.
Now let’s discuss the name. How did The Bear get its name? One theory links it to bear pits. Bear Lane is nearby. Supposedly bear-baiting was practiced here. But there’s not much evidence to support that claim.
Another story involves Matthew Harrison. He was a 16th-century landlord. He supposedly had a pet bear named Furze. Furze’s name might have come from Sir Reginald FitzUrse. He was one of the knights who killed Thomas Becket. His family shield had a bear. However The Bear Inn had that name for over a hundred years before Matthew Harrison was born.
A more convincing explanation connects the name to the Earls of Warwick. Their family crest featured a bear and ragged staff. This symbol is still on The Bear’s pub sign today. The Earl of Warwick gained popularity during the War of the Roses. He was nicknamed “The Kingmaker”. The original Bear Inn changed its name from Le Tabard around that time.
There’s another interesting detail about the location of The Bear. This building stands on what was once the graveyard for St Edward’s Church. The church stood on land now occupied by Christ Church college. In 2018 human bones were found in the pub’s cellars. These bones were identified as being over 700 years old.
Over the years The Bear has welcomed notable visitors. Crown Prince Christian of Denmark stayed here in 1662. In 1642 a musket was discharged nearby during the English Civil War. The bullet traveled through a barbers shop a butchers stall and into The Bear. It struck a female patron in the leg.
Today The Bear is known for its collection of over 4500 neckties. The collection was started in 1952 by landlord Alan Course. He clipped the ends of ties in exchange for beer. The ties are now displayed in glass cases around the pub.
So next time you raise a glass at The Bear remember its controversial history its possible origins and its unique tie collection. It is a place where history and legend intertwine.