James Tucker in Cov

So, as part of my MA, I have had to go to Stratford to use the archives and documents of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Last week I had to work up a bibliography about the town and its pubs (my choice of topics). So, learning about the town, and then being able to walk around the town saying "Ah, the Cage pub used to be there" and such. As far as I can tell, Stratford has one of the best collections of old Tudor buildings, many of them associated with Shakespeare and his family (ie. the St Edward School, above left).There are other famous connections, though, as Harvard House (a mid-sized house with wonderful carving, right) was the early house of the man who would later 'found' Harvard University. And, of course, the whole place is lovely. I had lunch at an old pub (built 1660, or at least some of it) across from the Royal Shakespeare Company's theatre. It's technically the Black Swan, but during the Second World War American soldiers camped across the river, and referred to it as the "Dirty Duck", which is how it's still largely known. Plus, it's where all the RSC actors hang out, apparently, so there's considerable star power associated with it (ie. Lawrence Olivier, Ian Richardson).