Pineapple

A delightful steel engraving showing us what the area might have looked like at the time of these events

The Pineapple is the name of the ale-house to which John Childermass and Vinculus repair on the occasion of their first meeting.

It is built over the culverted remains of the River Fleet, and indeed appears to be sinking into it, as the parlour is described as being three steps down from street level. It is a neglected building. A story tells of the death of its previous occupant — a noted criminal — at the hands of an enemy who partly demolished the house to come at him, and though this was some time ago the house is still of ruinous appearance, the present landlord having discovered that its dreadful reputation is good for business[21].

Its ruined state may also indicate that the influence of the Raven King is yet to be felt there — all ruined houses, according to the old belief, belonging to him — and certainly it is there that a sort of manifestation occurs to John Childermass, when one of the Cards of Marseilles he is using suddenly and inexplicably acquires the look of the King himself.

Notes

The Pineapple, built over the River Fleet, is likely nearly a mile from Vinculus's booth in front of St Christopher Le Stocks on Threadneedle-street. We can presume that this walk — arduous on a February day — was necessitated by Vinculus's need to go to an ale-house where he did not already owe a large sum for drinks obtained on credit.

For references to the fruit, see under Pineapples.