8 August 2012 Last updated at 10:46 ET

Piel Island 'royalty' showcased in Barrow exhibition

Piel Island is home to a pub, a ruined castle and six cottages

Pictures of a Cumbrian island's "royalty" are going on display.

Piel Island, situated at the southern tip of Walney Island, has its own "king" - the licensee of the Ship Inn, its only public house.

The King of Piel, a post which dates back almost two centuries, can create knights in a ceremony which involves drink being poured over their heads.

Pictures of some of these will be on show at Barrow archive centre from 13 to 17 August.

The 20-acre island is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and was donated as a war memorial to the people of Barrow by the Duke of Buccleuch in 1920.

The "knight" sits in a special chair and has alcohol poured over his head

'Lover of women'

It can be reached during summer months by ferry from nearby Walney Island.

Barrow Borough Council is now responsible for the island, and appointed the most recent landlord and "king".

During the knighting ceremony the candidate, who must be a "free drinker and smoker and lover of the female sex", sits in an ancient oak chair, wearing a helmet and holding a sword while alcohol is poured over his head.

His duties consist of buying a round of drinks and in return he gains the right to free board and lodging in the event of being shipwrecked.

The ceremony is said to be a slightly mocking homage to the landing of royal pretender Lambert Simnel on the island in 1487.