THAT lamp post

Draken · 12-18-2007, 09:59 AM

The riverside footpath here at Durham is lit up by a series of lamp posts. One of them in particular, near Prebends Bridge, is alone in a clearing surrounded by trees. I've always called it "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" lamp post. Anyway I was talking to someone in the Univ museum and it turns out it really IS. Lewis lectured here at Durham and the story goes that he was walking over Prebends Bridge one snowy day and saw the lamp post shining among the trees, giving him the idea for it in the book.

Hope that's true!

**Mari** · 12-18-2007, 06:54 PM

That's a cool story. Makes you realize that writers get their ideas somewhere.

inked · 12-28-2007, 08:32 PM

Great story! Is there any verfication in writing anywhere? As in, "Professor Lewis once remarked at High Table to Professor ------------ that it was the lamp here that set off the notions of the lamppost in Narnia"? I have read prodigiously in Lewisania but I do not recall such a notation. It would be a great addition to the materials at Wheaton, if it exists!

Draken · 12-29-2007, 08:27 AM

I've searched on the web and found it repeated as a story several times, but no references to an actual quote by the man himself as yet. I did however find reference to a series of lectures he delivered at Durham University in 1943, so at least it's confirmed that he WAS up this way and COULD have seen it.

As and when it snows I'll try and get a pic taken of the lamp post in question to share.

inked · 12-31-2007, 07:58 PM

Great, Draken. I'd like to see it when possible.

Draken · 01-07-2008, 08:27 AM

It snowed last week so I went out at lunch time. Here you go!

If it isn't the inspirational lamp post it really should be.

12-18-2007, 09:59 AM	#1
Draken Elf Lord Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Durham, England Posts: 694	THAT lamp post The riverside footpath here at Durham is lit up by a series of lamp posts. One of them in particular, near Prebends Bridge, is alone in a clearing surrounded by trees. I've always called it "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" lamp post. Anyway I was talking to someone in the Univ museum and it turns out it really IS. Lewis lectured here at Durham and the story goes that he was walking over Prebends Bridge one snowy day and saw the lamp post shining among the trees, giving him the idea for it in the book. Hope that's true! __________________ I'm beset by self-doubt ....or am I?

12-18-2007, 06:54 PM	#2
Mari Elf Lady Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In the lands where mountains are but a fairytale Posts: 8,588	That's a cool story. Makes you realize that writers get their ideas somewhere. __________________ Love always, deeply and true ★ Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer. ★ Friendship is sharing openly, laughing often, trusting always, caring deeply. ...The Earth laughs in flowers ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Hamatreya"...

12-28-2007, 08:32 PM	#3
inked Elf Lord Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: sikeston, MO, usa, earth, sol Posts: 3,114	Great story! Is there any verfication in writing anywhere? As in, "Professor Lewis once remarked at High Table to Professor ------------ that it was the lamp here that set off the notions of the lamppost in Narnia"? I have read prodigiously in Lewisania but I do not recall such a notation. It would be a great addition to the materials at Wheaton, if it exists! __________________ Inked "Aslan is not a tame lion." CSL/LWW "The new school [acts] as if it required...courage to say a blasphemy. There is only one thing that requires real courage to say, and that is a truism." GK Chesterton "And there is always the danger of allowing people to suppose that our modern times are so wholly unlike any other times that the fundamental facts about man's nature have wholly changed with changing circumstances." Dorothy L. Sayers, 1 Sept. 1941

12-29-2007, 08:27 AM	#4
Draken Elf Lord Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Durham, England Posts: 694	I've searched on the web and found it repeated as a story several times, but no references to an actual quote by the man himself as yet. I did however find reference to a series of lectures he delivered at Durham University in 1943, so at least it's confirmed that he WAS up this way and COULD have seen it. As and when it snows I'll try and get a pic taken of the lamp post in question to share. __________________ I'm beset by self-doubt ....or am I?

12-31-2007, 07:58 PM	#5
inked Elf Lord Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: sikeston, MO, usa, earth, sol Posts: 3,114	Great, Draken. I'd like to see it when possible. __________________ Inked "Aslan is not a tame lion." CSL/LWW "The new school [acts] as if it required...courage to say a blasphemy. There is only one thing that requires real courage to say, and that is a truism." GK Chesterton "And there is always the danger of allowing people to suppose that our modern times are so wholly unlike any other times that the fundamental facts about man's nature have wholly changed with changing circumstances." Dorothy L. Sayers, 1 Sept. 1941

01-07-2008, 08:27 AM	#6
Draken Elf Lord Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Durham, England Posts: 694	It snowed last week so I went out at lunch time. Here you go! If it isn't the inspirational lamp post it really should be. __________________ I'm beset by self-doubt ....or am I?

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