An English council is now inviting applications from the general public to be the “king or queen” of a small island north of England. The monarch, however, would be required to do a few essential tasks in the 21st century, including managing a 300-year-old pub and a 14th-century castle with a history of medieval monks. The English island of Piel is seeking a new leader to look up to after the previous monarch left in July last year. The new leader, according to the Barrow Borough Council in Cumbria, need not be part of the British Royal Family to apply for the job.
Excited, already? We suggest you must hold on to that. Why, you ask? Well, the fun doesn't end here. The job listing, posted last week by the council, said that the new king or queen will be "crowned" by having alcohol poured over the head while sitting in an ancient chair, wearing a helmet and holding a sword.
The key responsibilities of the monarch would also include maintaining the island's roughly 50 acres of grass, rock and sand. The monarch will have neighbours in four private cottages. Announcing the search, the council's leader described the island as “an absolute jewel in the borough's crown.”
However, John Murphy, a 73-year-old resident of nearby Walney Island, who has been the guide of walking tours of the area for four decades, told the New York Times, “We're not talking about St. Lucia or the Hawaiian islands.”
Mr Murphy said the monarch is required to swear by an oath that they are a good smoker, a good drinker, and “to give anyone found dead on the sands free refuge in the pub.”
However, the only way to reach the remote and isolated island is by ferry but the rewards of being there are lucrative. The king or the queen will get to witness and enjoy stunning sunsets on most days and then there are frequent seal sightings as well.
