Through a series of accidents the paintings of flowers on these walls (probably painted between 1564 and 1581) were preserved behind panelling, to be revealed in 1927. Fortunately their importance was recognised, and they were safely preserved, for Oxford Preservation Trust to rediscover and restore. OPT now open up the room whenever possible, especially around the Open Doors festival in September, and Shakespeare's Birthday in April.

Shakespeare stayed here at the home of his friend John Davenant, though he is romantically associated with Davenant's wife, and possibly the father (as well as godfather) of William Davenant, who became a poet and must have benefitted from his link to the Bard. It is not recorded whether Davenant threw Shakespeare out, never to darken his doors again. But certainly at one time Oxford was a useful stopping point on the long journey between Stratford and London on horseback.

The Elizabethans were very keen on the symbolism and language of flowers, so it's possible the paintings have hidden meanings, though if so these are yet to be deciphered. Reflecting the changing religious influences of the period there are both a Catholic symbol, and a frieze with a moral poem reminding the inhabitants of the house to be good hardworking Protestants. The muted colours suggest the painting was done by an ordinary building craftsman, such as a plasterer, not an artist.

It's difficult to believe that under the modern shopfittings of Vodafone and BetFred lies a historically important half-timbered building with original interiors from the Tudor age. Next time it's open, pop in and come face to face with the everyday history of the familiar streets of Oxford.

Photo by C Andrews, Oxford Preservation Trust.