Alfred Street

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The Bear public house in Alfred Street.

Alfred Street is a street running between the High Street to the north and the junction with Blue Boar Street and Bear Lane at the southern end, in central Oxford, England. To the south is Christ Church, one of Oxford University's historic colleges.

The Bear is an historic public house located on the west side of Alfred Street at the southern end. A unique feature is a large collection of ties displayed on its walls and ceiling.

[edit] History

Alfred Street was named Venella Sancti Edwardi in 1220. The name was taken from St Edward's Church, which was on the west side of the street, but was destroyed around 1500. In the 16th century, the street was known as Vine Hall Street. This name derived from Vine Hall, located near the rear of Christ Church.

In the 17th–18th centuries, the name Bear Lane was used, after the Bear inn in the street. Nowadays, this name is used for the lane from the southern end of Alfred Street to the east. The origin of the current name, which has been used since at least the middle of the 19th century, is not known, but may mean King Alfred, the purported founder of University College, Oxford for many years.