The island can be the place Lambert Simnel, the younger son of an Oxford tradesman, landed in June 1487 with a military of mercenaries and a declare to be the rightful inheritor to England’s throne. He marched on London, was promptly defeated by Henry VII, and wound up a kitchen servant.

The “King of Piel” customized was in all probability invented within the early 19th century as a reference to Simnel’s doomed declare, Mr. Douglas stated. “Sort of a looking back to the good old days, and reinventing some kind of arcane ceremony,” he stated. “It’s a bit weird.”

In the autumn and winter, the historical past buffs and picnickers depart the island to the birds, the seals and two full-time residents in one of many personal houses. “It’s a very tranquil place,” Mr. Murphy stated. “If you don’t have any customers, you have to be a Robinson Crusoe and enjoy the facilities that you’ve got in your mind.”

Mr. Callister stated some elements of the owner’s contract could be negotiated with the council, together with pay and whether or not the owner must dwell on Piel year-round.

“It’s an opportunity for somebody that’s really open-minded, loves that style of business, loves the outside, loves history,” Mr. Callister stated. “At the end of the day, when we all get a little bit older, you think, ‘I wish I’d have done that.’ Don’t pass that opportunity over.”

Mr. Murphy stated the job requires somebody who, at minimal, doesn’t thoughts a lot of time alone. He described the winter as “very harsh indeed,” with storms bringing heavy wind and rain. “You are virtually stuck on the island alone.”

And when you’re there, you could have solely so some ways to depart. When the tide recedes, it’s doable to stroll — rigorously, if you happen to know how — throughout two miles of sand. But when the tide returns, the one transport is a small ferry that Mr. Murphy described as “a rowing boat with a little engine on the back.”