Old Inn Bidford by Paul Braddon

'Watercolour by Paul Braddon depicting the Old Inn at Bidford, now Almshouse, where Shakespeare reputedly entered into the drinking contest. Bidford is mentioned in a verse associated with the tale of Shakespeare's drinking contest at Bidford-on-Avon. According to this tale, Shakespeare drank himself into a stupor and lost the contest at the Falcon Inn. The following morning, when his companions suggested they return to avenge their defeat, Shakespeare refused, having had enough of supping with ''Piping Pebworth, Dancing Marston, Haunted Hilbro'' [Hillborough], Hungry [Temple] Grafton, Dudging Exhall, Papist Wicksford [Wixford], Beggarly Broom, and Drunken Bedford [Bidford]''. Paul Braddon (1864-1937) was the pseudonym of James Leslie Crees. Born in Birmingham, England, Braddon was a prolific watercolour artist, best known for his topographical paintings, which often featured buildings with a literary connection. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has almost a hundred of Braddon's watercolours in its collection, painted around 1890 and depicting scenes from Stratford-upon-Avon and other areas associated with William Shakespeare.'