King's Arms, Oxford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The King's Arms |
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The King's Arms on the corner of Parks Road (left) and Holywell Street (right)
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| General information | |
| Address | 40 Holywell Street, Oxford, OX1 3SP, England |
| Coordinates | 51°45′18″N 1°15′16″W / 51.755°N 1.2544°W |
| Opened | 18 September 1607 |
| Owner | Wadham College, Oxford / Young's Brewery |
The King's Arms (often called the KA) is a very popular place for students in Oxford, England. It is known as one of the main student pubs in the city. Some people even say it is the oldest pub in Oxford!
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Where is the King's Arms?
The King's Arms pub is in a great spot in Oxford. It sits right on the corner of Parks Road and Holywell Street. Across the street, you can see the New Bodleian Library building. Other famous places nearby include Broad Street and the Clarendon Building. These buildings are part of the famous Oxford University.
There's a fun local story that says the King's Arms has the highest "IQ" (Intelligence Quotient) of any pub in the world. This is because so many smart students and professors visit it! The pub is owned by Wadham College, which is a college of Oxford University located just north of the pub.
A Look at Its History
The land where the King's Arms stands has a long history.
Early Days of the Site
Back in 1268, buildings built by Augustinian friars were on this spot. Friars were members of certain religious groups. Later, in 1540, these religious buildings were closed down. This was part of a big change called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. After this, the land became owned by the City of Oxford.
How the King's Arms Began
The King's Arms officially opened on September 18, 1607. Records from Oxford Council in 1607 show that "Thomas Franklyn has licence to set up an inn with the sign of the King's Arms." Franklyn chose the name "King's Arms" to honor King James I. King James I ruled England from 1603 to 1625. He was also connected to Wadham College, which is right next to the pub.
Changes Through the Centuries
In the 1600s, the King's Arms was a popular place for plays to be performed. In the early 1700s, parts of the building were rebuilt. The front part of the building, facing west, was added in the late 1700s. Over its long history, the King's Arms has been many things. It was a coaching inn by 1771, which was a place where horse-drawn coaches would stop. It also served as a hotel for travelers.
Famous Visitors and Stories
The famous writer Graham Greene once mentioned the King's Arms. He said he used to meet other people involved in government work there around 1944. They would share drinks and talk. Greene was known for being a bit of a prankster when he was comfortable at the pub.
It is also said that some university professors, called "dons," used to hold teaching sessions in the back bar of the pub. This happened as late as the 1970s! Until 1973, women were not allowed in this back bar, which was known as the "Don's Bar." This was the last bar in Oxford with such a rule.
In 1973, there was a fire in the Don's Bar. It was caused by an electrical problem. Before the 1960s, the King's Arms was a hotel. It was a popular place for business travelers to stay. In 1992, a room called "The Office" was changed into extra space for the bar. Before that, it was the landlord's actual office.
In 1991, the pub became part of Young's Brewery.
