ENGLAND’S OLDEST INK

Evening Star, Issue 20309, 18 October 1929, Page 13

ENGLAND’S OLDEST INK

END OF LONG HISTORY. The Chandos Anns, Edgeware, England’s oldest tavern, has ceased to exist as an inn, and in future “ thirsty souls ” in search of a bitter will have to look elsewhere. Instead of supplyiug refreshments, this old house, which dates back to the days of William the Conqueror, is to become a booking office for motor coaches. Tho Chandos Amis is almost as old as the great English family after which it is called. Sir John Chandos fought at the Battle of Crecy, saved the Black Prince’s life at Poitieres, and was Edward lll.’s lieutenant in France. Dick Turpin, the famous highwayman, lived at the Chandos Arms, and Handel, who was in residence for a couple of years or so at the Canons, a fabulous palace built by the Dube of Chandos, the wealthy paymaster of the forces abroad, used to visit the tavern every evening for a mug of beer.

lb was' at the inn that Handel first met the blacksmith whom he immortalised. Mention of the Canons recalls that there is not a stone left standing in the palace, although some of its treasures have found a permanent homo in tho tavern.