Image ID: 21432

Kings Mill

Courtesy of Mansfield Museum and Art Gallery

Sutton Road
Mansfield
England

Mansfield was certainly an important place throughout it's history, as it was the personal property of the King of England, and remained so until it was sold to the Cavendish family in 1602. Edward the Confessor had a manor here, and when William the Conqueror came into possession he had here 'two car. or plows in demesne and five sochman, on three bovats of this land, and thirty-five villains; twenty bordars with nineteen car, and a half, one mill, one piscary; twenty-four acres of meadow, pasture wood two leu. long and two broad;' and there were also in the town two churches and two priests'. King's Mill, seen here, named for it's royal connection stood at the side of the River Maun and utilised its power. Legend has it that Henry II got lost whilst hunting in the area, and finding his way to the mill was offered lodgings. The mill was occupied by John Cockle, who resided here with his wife, son and his daughter Margery. The mill owners wife did not realise who he was and put him to bed with her son. In the morning she gave him some breakfast, and her daughter 'Carrotty Margery' waited upon his Majesty; and whilst engaged on the meal a number of courtiers arrived, asking if anything had been seen or heard of the missing King, who they had been looking for all night. The King then declared himself, much to the amazement of Mistress Cockle, who went on her knees to beg pardon for the familiarity with which she had treated him, and above all for putting him to sleep with her son. But the King graciously thanked her for her kindness and hospitality, kighted her husband on the spot, and thus made her 'My Lady'. The story goes on to say that the despotic Monarch insisted on one of his Lords taking 'Carrotty Margery' to wife, and finding a wife for his quondam bedfellow amongst the ladies of the court. The picture is a copy of an original painting, possibly by J Harrop White?.

Date: 1790 - 1800

Organisation Reference: NCCW000717

Organisation: