The Tour
Rumpole of the Bailey first appeared on our screens on 16 December 1975. This was a one-off BBC Play for Today, but Rumpole caught on. He went on to appear in seven television series, and a number of books.
Created by John Mortimer QC, Horace Rumpole is a barrister at law and Old Bailey hack. He is also a perpetual defender. He fights for our ancient freedoms and the presumption of innocence.
Central Criminal Court (© 2015 Fayita Bonita)
An English Barrister
Fortified with Château Thames Embankment, and overseen by She Who Must Be Obeyed, Rumpole devotes his time to keeping errant humanity out of prison.
He has an arsenal of tricks and stratagems for courtroom appearances. He endears himself to the jury, and ensures that his client’s defence gets the fairest of hearings.
Through John Mortimer’s own words, we follow Horace Rumpole’s experiences of the legal life.
Starting at the Old Bailey we finish at John Mortimer’s own Inn, the Inner Temple. On the way along Fleet Street and the Strand we take in the press, the law and a famous wine bar!
Though John Mortimer died in 2009, his creation remains a perpetual reminder of the need for humanity in our dealings with our fellows.
For taster of this tour, please click HERE to read my Footprints of London blog item about the real Jack Pommeroy!
If you like this …
You can find details of my crime and the law tours HERE
You can find details of my other literary tours HERE
Details – Rumpole and the Legal Life
Please go to What’s On? to see whether this tour is currently on offer, and for booking details
REMEMBER that these details are NOT for the virtual version of this tour!
Meet: Outside the Magpie and Stump Public House, 18 Old Bailey EC4M 7EP – nearest stations St Paul’s Underground and City Thameslink
Duration: Two hours (approximately)
Finish: Inner Temple, near Blackfriars and Temple Stations
If you have any questions about this tour, please contact me.
Picture of an English barrister sourced from Wikimedia Commons
