The Lamb and Flag

What better place to relax and reminisce, than at the Lamb and Flag, then location that housed so many fist-fights and an assassination attempt that it got itself nicknamed the "Bucket of Blood'.

The original structure was first built in 1638 under the name 'The Cooper's Arms', but eventually the name changed to The Lamb and Flag in 1833. Though it's location as never changed, the establishment was rebuilt in 1958, keeping the original framework but losing some of the precious architecture.
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Though there are still many similarities, it even has the same number of windows, the new rebuild of the pub as added some more presonality through the addition of the tavern sign on the front and of course the change of the name along the front.

But it has also lost some old personality, from the loss of the parapet along the roof. The parapet is not only an example of old architecture, but the proudly displayed lamb in the centre, represented the pub.

In the time that the pub was first established, it was much more important to display the name of the brewery, such example is shown in the olden photo of the Lamb and Flag.

Barclay, Perkins & Co Ltd. was a large brewery in London that used to operate as the Anchor Brewery, apparently across from the famous Globe Theatre that Shakespeare housed his plays in. It was owned by several different people, but eventually came to be owned by Barclay and Perkins. The brewery itself went through several hardships, two major ones being the fire that occured in 1832 where many of the main buildings were lost, the other was when the brewery (under owernship of Thrale) was in trouble for producing casks, which they weren't qualified to produce.

But after the brewery rebuilt from the devastating fire and under the ownership of Barclay and Perkins, it became even more reverred, specifically the beverage which was referenced in works, such as books by Charles Dickens. This was only the begininning of the pubs apparent Literary history.

Charles Dickens was rumoured to visit many pubs throughout London, Lamb and Flag being one of them. Of course, Lamb and Flags reputation and nickname came from what was attempted on the poet John Dryden, as a group of thugs hired by one of Dryden's rivals tried to assassinate him. This combined with the poet readings and the enjoyment that other writers got from visiting the pub, helped it earn a literary and bloody history.

Even now, the pub still maintains a bustling, positive atmosphere. The Lamb and Flag like many others is location for several small events, from rugby days to the appearance of comedians. It's a well known and commonly visited pub. The Lamb and Flag at 33 Rose St is an amazing place to sit back and relax in old, bloody, literary history. As long as that doesn't ruin your appetite.

Just in case you would like to look at The Lamb and Flag's official website, book a reservation or just enjoy their gallery of photos, heres a link to their page:
https://www.lambandflagcoventgarden.co.uk/

Below is the location of the pub on Google Maps, whilst a red dot shows it's placement on a historical map in relation to other landmarks.