Gray's Inn

By Tristin Turner and Cooper Sarafin

In the same fashion as the other inns, Gray's Inn was an institution that must be attended by any person wishing to be a practicing barrister or judge. It is found at the intersection of Gray's Inn Road and High Holborn in Central London. Even though there was a tradition claiming that none of the inns of court are older than the others, it is recorded that law administrators established their workplace at the site of Gray's Inn around the late 14th century.

De Saussure says very little about Gray's Inn. In fact, all he notes is that it "is another fine college...which is likewise destined for lawyers" (71). Though his words regarding this inn are quite sparse, it does not imply that this inn is without importance and prominence. It had the greatest number of students compared to the other inns of court during the 15th and 16th centuries, thanks to the help of members William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer, and Gilbert Gerard, a man who served many positions, most notably as Master of the Rolls. Furthermore, the famous politician and scientist, Francis Bacon, credited for his contributions to the scientific method, was highly involved with this Inn, both as a student and as an administrator.

Similar to the other Inns of Court, Gray's Inn does not serve as an adequate public sphere. It is not devoid of private interests, for students try to enhance their private aspirations when they converse among themselves. Also, expressing opinions freely is surely not a privilege law students have. In brief, public opinions being shared is a rarity.

Gray's Inn reached its pinnacle of prosperity when Elizabeth I ascended to the throne, the Queen herself even being recognized as the Inn's patron. It was not until the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642 that led to this Inn's gradual ruination. Though this Inn is active and doing well today, it has never fully recovered, being the smallest in number of all the Inns of Court.

Sources:
César de Saussure. A Foreign View of England in the Reigns of George I and George II. London: J. Murray, 1902.
Wikipedia