Who were the Inklings?
Join The Inklings
In the bustling pub, scholars gather, minds meet, friendships are formed, and worlds are created.
What was the purpose of the Inklings?
At their most basic, the Inklings were a literary society. A group of men who met at the Eagle and Child in Oxford to discuss their literary endeavors, swap critiques, and engage in discussion...
As simple as that sounds, this meeting of minds proved a fertile ground from which sprang some of the most beloved works of 20th century fantasy.
The sky is gray and dreary, drizzling rain, but inside the cozy pub the fire crackles, warming the room. Tankards, tumblers, and teacups are filled as merry conversation and lively debate form a humming ambiance.
Who were the Inklings?
The best known members of this society are J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, but it also included writers such as Owen Barfield and Charles Williams. Some of their greatest works were debuted at these meetings including Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, Lewis's Space Trilogy, and William's All Hallows Eve.
Dark wood panels cover the walls, gleaming and polished. Floorboards creak underfoot. Someone lights a pipe and the fragrance of warm tobacco wafts throughout the common areas. Plates of food and just-opened bottles are brought to bustling tables.
The Legacy of the Inklings.
You can still visit the Eagle and Child (sometimes fondly called The Bird and the Baby), and many lovers of fantasy make the pilgrimages there to this day.
The Inklings ... as a candle.
