Small Island in Northern England Looking for Landlord to Run Its 300-Year-Old Pub—And Serve as ‘King’

Epoch Times ^ | 1-13-22 | Michael Wing

[dynachrome]

Just off Furness Peninsula on England’s west coast, lonely Piel Island—with its castle from the 1300s and over-300-year-old public house, The Ship Inn—is in want of someone with the right mindset, and a penchant for living in solitude, to take over her lease, run the pub, and care for the island.

As for the said kingship, that too is in the bargain—and it’ll almost be official. The inn’s first recorded landlord, Edward Postlethwaite, served the role from 1746 to 1766. And since the 1800s, according to local authorities, the title “King of Piel” has been bestowed on those who filled the post. An initiation rite began—involving sitting in an antique chair, holding a rusty saber, and having beer poured over one’s head, while wearing a helmet—and today, both title and ritual live on.

After the last “lord” terminated his contract early, a temporary partnership organization in 2021 stepped in to ensure the important heritage site opened in July. Now, Barrow-in-Furness (the local town) council is seeking the right person to take the reins and run the pub.

[JimRed]

For a pub to have lasted 300 years there has to be enough nearby population to keep them in business. Doesn’t sound much like a seaside resort area.