The First Pie: 1788 - Recovery of King George III
On 5th November 1788, the King George III attacked the Prince of Wales, his son, and tried to smash his head against the wall. One observer claimed that foam was coming from the king's mouth and his eyes were so bloodshot that they looked like current jelly. George was placed in a straight-jacket and eventually his doctors had a special iron chair made to restrain him. Other treatment included putting poultices of Spanish Fly and mustard all over the King's body; the idea was that the painful blisters which resulted would draw out the "evil humours". By April 1789, the King’s doctors came to the conclusion that he had recovered from his madness and he was allowed to carry on with his royal duties.
The village decided to celebrate King George’s return from madness, although it does appear that they celebrated a year early!
The pie, made from game, was baked at the White Hart pub and served to the villagers in the field behind. It would have been similar to today’s ‘stand pies’ where the crust supports the pie without the need for a dish.