We hope that you find the following spippets of interest ...
The King's Arms has a fascinating history, dating back to the 17th century, when the property belonged to the Lord of the Manor. It was sold in 1763, but was still used as the Manor courthouse until 1870.
It sits squarely at the entrance to Church Street, which winds up to the Brontë Parsonage, past the church, graveyard and schoolrooms, where Charlotte taught.
In 1841 the Innkeeper of the King's Arms, Enoch Thomas, also ran The Black Bull and was a good friend and confident of Branwell Brontë. He suffered terrible bouts of depression, which Patrick Brontë referred to as "a very severe and great affliction". Branwell nicknamed him 'Devil's Thumb'.
A later Landlord, Joseph Fox, was a confectioner by profession and provided the fare for Emily Brontë's funeral feast.
In 1876 the 'Loyal Order of the Ancient Shepherds ( Ashton Unity )' was formed at the King's Arms and one of it's members was the longest serving landlord ( to date ). His name was John Hartley and he died in 1907, having been there for 47 years.
For a considerable period, the cellars were used by the village undertaker as a mortuary ... and the rear of the inn was a slaughterhouse.
It's gruesome past has led many to believe the King's Arms to be haunted.
The Brontë Parsonage stands at the top of Church Street.
