Gray's Inn is a well known law school located in
London. Francis Bacon had attended school here and held residence in
Number 1 Gray's Inn Square for many years. To commemorate Bacon's
life, inside the stairwell to Bacon's old residence there are images
of paintings when he was England's Chancellor, a
portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, photos from
the remains of the Nicholas Bacon home in Gorhambury, and a photo of
the engraving Robart Tidir from the Tower. Richard Jones, an employee
of Gray's Inn and enthusiast of Bacon's life wrote a poem called
"Plus
Ultra" that adorns the wall too.
Bacon held the position of Treasurer at Gray's Inn, Dean of the
Chapel, and conceived and developed staged plays called Masques and
Devices (spectacle or show) which were performed for the first time
in the dining
hall. Images of golden
griffins can be seen on the outside of the
building as they were in Bacon's day. The griffins were symbols of
protection and were used to enhance a theatrical
atmosphere.
The following is a list of Bacon's early
productions as a playwright while at Gray's Inn:
Birth of Merlin 1583
The
Misfortune's of Arthur 1587
A Conference of Pleasure 1592
The
Order of the Helmet or the Prince of
Purpool 1594 (ceremonial entertainment
that pays homage to the Rites of Freemasonry)
The
Comedy of Errors 1594
The Device of the Indian Prince 1595
Visitors to Grays's Inn can still pass through the 1723
gates to view the beautiful gardens and
walks that Bacon planned and planted over 400 years ago. Alfred Dodd
stated that, "We can see already the English Renaissance of Ethics,
Science, and Art growing in embryo in the garden of Gray's Inn, then
tended, planted out, watered and nurtured into sturdy growth by the
creators' (Francis Bacon) hand tenderly, lovingly, and
passionately."
In the South Square, one of the courtyards of
Gray's Inn stands the famous statue of Francis Bacon. Here's
another
picture of the statue, a picture
of the statue with a closeup of the rose-petaled
shoes, a closeup
of the inscription on the base, and
a
picture of the dining hall with the
statue. For a real
treat see this image (339k)
See
the page on Charles Dickens.
The
History of Gray's Inn Website
SirBacon.org - Sir Francis Bacon's New Advancement of Learning
