Red Lion Inn, Southampton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red Lion Inn |
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| Location | Southampton |
| OS grid reference | SU 42045 11222 |
| Area | Hampshire |
| Built | late 15th Century |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Red Lion Inn including medieval vault | |
| Designated | 14 Jul 1953 |
| Reference no. | 1092055 |
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The Red Lion Inn is a very old and important building in Southampton, England. It is a pub that was built a long time ago, around the late 1400s or early 1500s. Because it is so old and special, it is known as a Grade II* listed building. You can find it at 55 High Street.
This historic pub is also on a special list called the Campaign for Real Ale's National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. This means it has a unique and well-preserved inside that shows how pubs used to look.
Contents
The Southampton Plot Legend
One part of the Red Lion Inn is a room with wooden beams, called the court room. A local story says that a famous trial happened here. This trial was about the Southampton Plot in 1415.
What was the Southampton Plot?
The Southampton Plot was a secret plan against King Henry V. Some important people wanted to remove him from the throne. They planned this just before the King went to France for a big battle.
The Trial Location Mystery
Even though the story is popular, it's probably not true that the trial happened at the Red Lion Inn. The trial took place in 1415. But the pub itself was built about 75 years later! Also, the people involved in the plot were held in the nearby castle. It's more likely their trial happened there, as castles had plenty of space for such events.
Ghosts of the Plotters?
Despite the facts, some people believe the plotters' ghosts still visit the inn. There are stories of a sad group of ghosts seen leaving the pub. People think these might be the spirits of the plotters.
Ghost Stories at the Inn
The Red Lion Inn is also known for another ghost story. It is said that the inn is haunted by a barmaid. People describe her as being in her sixties. She is reportedly only visible from the knees up. This ghostly barmaid is said to float through the bar area.
A Famous Visitor: Juan Manuel de Rosas
The Red Lion Inn has had some famous visitors over the years. One of them was Juan Manuel de Rosas. He was a very important politician from Argentina. He used to be the governor of Buenos Aires.
After 1852, Juan Manuel de Rosas had to leave Argentina. He lived in exile, which means he had to live outside his home country. During this time, he often visited the Red Lion Inn in Southampton.
