Most known internationally as the title of a song covered by many (some unlikely) artistes, originally performed by a band whose name contains a device used in a war where the British and French were allies, this phrase has a physical existence at a place where earlier the English and French had fought on the seas. This place is now noted for a musical and literary festival. At which house is it, and why would Jake be relevant but not Jacob?

Baloo55th

OK - Jacob could have a certain relevance, but Jake would find Jacob's way rather hard..... (This question is answerable - someone has got the answer already but not on the board. It has been pointed out that Jake might be much better known to AfTers in the UK and Down Under - and Ireland too, of course.) I really didn't think this would be so tricky. The band is very well known - even in the USA - but possibly a bit heavy for some here.) Sep 02 10, 1:00 PM

Datsmeharse

Ok well I thought of Led Zeppelin, but I ruled out Stairway to Heaven (Jacob's Ladder), unless your subsquent post is not ruling it out? Though even if not ruled out, the only Stairways to Heaven I know of are in Hawaii, Dubai and India? There was of course the famous Battle of Evermore, but I believe that involved the Hume brothers, and not France or England. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evermore_(band) Then there's the Black Dog Pub in Wiltshire, where the few Arsenal supporters meet, and they might have had some scrapes with the French over Thierry Henry, but I wouldn't call that a naval battle. I'm just dazed and confused... Sep 07 10, 12:07 PM

Baloo55th

Stairway indeed - Le(a)d being heavy, and Zeppelins having been used in WWI when the French and British were allies. (Note the careful distinction between English and British in the question...) I will say the battle was neither in England nor in France. The place where the house sought stands is actually mentioned in song, a much older song celebrating a beautiful young girl. A girl quite unlike the lady buying the stairway. Sep 07 10, 2:08 PM

Baloo55th

Appropriately, the young lady in the hint is referred to as a star - and she probably had quite clean feet..... Unlikely to have visited this place that's sought, as she came from the opposite end of the country. We never find out if her suitor was successful, but he claimed he'd let his plough rust until he got her.... Sep 21 10, 1:34 PM