The search to find the new king – or queen – of Piel Island has seen around 190 people apply for the role.
Barrow council – custodian of the island – is looking for a new landlord for the iconic Ship Inn, thought to be over 300 years old.
The authority agreed that it would accept tenders for a 10-year lease in time for the pub to start operating in April.
The landlord is also given the title of king after a ceremony which involves a throne and beer being tipped over their head. There has never been a queen.
The search for the monarch of 50-acre island, off the southern tip of the Furness Peninsula, has captivated the world, Barrow Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny committee was told.
Cllr Frank Cassidy told the meeting: “I just know that former councillor [and Piel Island guide] John Murphy has been interviewed by the global media about the situation on Piel Island.”
Media attention has included an article in the New York Times and Mr Murphy appearing over the airwaves for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Cllr Cassidy said the island and its traditions were ‘very important for the people of Barrow’.
Cllr Derek Gawne said he had been told by Steph Cordon, director of people and place at Barrow Borough Council, that the unique opportunity to manage Piel Island and the Ship Inn had attracted interest from around 190 parties across the globe – including Africa.
Previous king Steve Chattaway left after 13 years in charge in March and the pub was able to open in 2021 thanks to temporary partnership the Piel Island Pub Company.
The tradition of appointing a monarch for Piel Island dates back to the 15th century.
On June 5, 1487, a force hoping to overthrow Henry VII landed on the island. The figurehead of this Yorkist rebellion was a 10-year-old named Lambert Simnel.
Simnel was promoted as the rightful heir to the throne but was, in reality, of humble origin.
The army camped overnight on the island before setting off in the direction of London the next morning.
The rebellion was crushed at the Battle of Stoke Field, near Newark.
Simnel was spared, however, and ended up working in the Tower of London before becoming a falconer.
In the 1800s, a group who were drinking at the Ship Inn drew on the story of this failed takeover and decided Piel Island could have a monarch of its own.
