Image ID: 21773

King's Mill

Sutton in Ashfield
England

King's Mill, seen here, named for it's royal connection stood at the side of the River Maun (on the North East edge of Kings Mill reservoir) and utilised its power. It is said that in the days of King Henry II, this mill was occupied by John Cockle, who resided here with his [wife, his] son and his daughter Margery. One day in hunting the king was separated from his retinue, and found his way towards dusk to the Mill, and requested the mistress of the house to give him food and a night's lodging. Upon remarking that he looked like a clean, decent man, she gave him his supper, and arranged that he sleep with her son, Dick. 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, in search of whom they had been engaged all the 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, knighted 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. (this information taken from 'History of Sutton In Ashfiel, or Past Links With The Present' published by local printer Luther Lindley in 1907). King's Mill was destroyed by fire in 1963.

Date: 1930

Organisation Reference: NCCW001108

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