William Wordsworth is linked to the Lake District in the way that William Shakespeare is linked to Stratford upon Avon, it is almost impossible to see something of one without seeing something of the other.

Taking the steamer down Ullswater in spring it would be hard not to see the famous "golden daffodils", even trudging up to Grisedale Tarn above Patterdale in the bleakest of weathers, there carved into the stone of the Lake District itself is Wordsworth’s "Brothers Parting".

Likewise Tirril and several of the surrounding villages have links with the Wordsworth family. But few are lucky enough to have their proof signed and wax sealed by the Poet himself on display for all to see.

The Wordsworth family’s association with the area began when the Poet’s grandfather came from Yorkshire to take up the post of "Clerk of the Peace" and managing agent for Lowther Estates. He lived in Sockbridge at Sockbridge Hall (now Wordsworth House) – Sockbridge adjoins Tirril, and Wordsworth House is a short walk across the field from the pub.

Their daughter Ann married the Reverend Thomas Myers curate of St. Michael’s Church Barton the Parish Church. His son John married Ann Cookson of Penrith and they had five children most famous of who was William the poet. Also notable is Christopher who was Chancellor of Cambridge University, who’s own two sons whilst studying respectively in Cambridge and Oxford Universities in1828 are credited with organising the first University Boat Race.
It was however the eldest brother Richard a local lawyer who was a bit of a speculator. And according to the Shepherd Papers bought on 3/8/1813 "the Queen’s Head Inn and some land and property that went with it" for £2,727 (almost certainly including the cottages that now make up the restaurant.)

Richard’s affairs were in such disarray that there are several letters at Dove Cottage between the other family members despairing about his hopelessness with his finances and estate. Without putting any of his affairs in order Richard died in1816 leaving his one-year-old son John as his heir.

Christopher and William were trustees of Richard’s will and as such rented out much of his properties, including the Queen’s Head Inn, until John was old enough to inherit.

The Indenture on display in the bar at the Queen’s Head Inn dates from 1/8/1836 less than 6 months after John had turned 21 and inherited his father’s estate (and debts). In the process of selling of his late father’s properties to finance his further education at University he sold also the Queen’s Head Inn. The Indenture states that John Bewshar the tenant would pay each of the signatories (William, Christopher and John) five shillings as a years rent (wouldn’t that be lovely) before buying the Queen’s Head the following year.