This Kenilworth walk had a specific exploratory aim. But before we got to that, our nine walkers were impounded! Yes, we found ourselves in the Kenilworth pound, where stray animals were kept until their owners claimed them – or they were sold off by the pound keeper to pay his expenses.
Once liberated from there, we found ourselves on Parliament Piece Local Nature Reserve, where Henry III is said to have held his parliament in August 1266 in an attempt to bring to an end the Second Barons’ War (1264-67). The baronial forces had fled to Kenilworth Castle after the Battle of Evesham and the death of their leader Simon de Montfort. There they endured a six month siege – reckoned to be one of the longest sieges in Medieval English history. The King’s Parliament had a document drawn up which on 31st October 1266 set out peace terms to end the conflict. This document was known as The Dictum of Kenilworth. The barons eventually surrendered on 14th December 1266 and accepted the terms of The Dictum. Some 758 years later, Tim Martin was inspired by that document – but we’ll come to that later …
As we walked back from the Greenway towards the town, we passed the St Barnabas “tin tabernacle”, built in 1886 and one of very few left standing in England. It is at 145 Albion Street and is part of St Nicholas’ parish. The fellowship is very active and known for their hospitality.
We pulled ourselves away and walked onwards towards our ultimate objective: lunch at The Dictum of Kenilworth – the newly opened Wetherspoons pub at 18-24 The Square, Kenilworth (where Poundland was). Wetherspoons afficionados know that Tim Martin (the owner) likes to name and theme his pubs based on significant local features and/or history. So what a good choice for Kenilworth! And what a good pub too – great staff, amazing range of drinks, good food served really quickly quickly, and excellent location. Well worth a visit (especially now that the crazy crowds of the first week or two have settled down). A number of mirthers and family members have visited already and all have sung its praises. See you there perhaps …?
MIRTH 