Lincolns Inn 

Address: 11 A New Square Lincolns Inn 

Lincolns Inn is one of Londons oldest Law college. It got it's name "Inn" because the old Lord who owned it would invite students to come stay to learn the law. Although it has the oldest recorded minutes of the three big Law schools in England, starting in the year 1400, no one knows exactly when it was founded. The only requirement for students to be "Ad Barrum" (At Bar) in the year 1400 was to simply "Have eaten five dinners in Lincolns Inn." However in this time many classes were also taught by the clergy, which was done away with by King Henry the III, who decided that more contemporary teachers needed to be in place. The name "Lincolns Inn" comes from the original owner of the land (which the University did not always own) Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln (LincolnsInn.org). Who died much earlier than the earliest records of the college date, proving that the University is the oldest Inn in London, and that it was founded earlier than originally recorded. 

The "Inn" is now composed of three squares, that are separated from the town by a brick wall. The University has many notable buildings that all have deep histories dating from almost all different periods in time. But the most notable are the Chapel, which was constructed when the clergy still taught law, the library, and the great hall. Although all the buildings have been remodeled extensively, they still are seen as historically significant. The Chapel's foundation is actually a cemetery that still houses the remains of some of the "Benchers" who practiced law at the Inn. The library acts has a tool for current students, because it has so many old manuscripts, however borrowing books of any kind is prohibited. Students who wish to borrow books have to visit a library that is not located on college grounds. Finally the Great hall is was built because the college has grown so much in size. Although the college itself is seen as a historical artifact, it has had to undergo many renovations and new buildings to accommodate the growing number of students, and offer them resources to learn in the modern era (The Bulletin) 

Lincolns Inn, like many buildings in London; is facing the challenge of trying to balance old with new. It is important to try and provide resources like original manuscripts and old books to give students a first hand source for research and preserve the delicate history that the ground holds. Lincolns inn with it's deep historical roots also has many strange traditions. In the time of Queen Victoria, it was prohibited that students be allowed to have any facial hair. Students who grew beards or didn't shave might "fall on pain" of paying double the price of dinner that night. Students who refused to shave might even risk expulsion (BHO) 

Works Cited: 
BHO. British History Online . 1878. Computer . 18 October 2020.

Lincolns Inn . The Honourable Society of Lincolns Inn. n.d. Computer . 18 October 2020.

The Bulletin . The Royal Colllege of Surgeons of England . 1 July 2020. Computer . 18 October 2020.