The General Burgoyne- the pub! The pub has had a great deal of stories told in its time as to why it was named the General Burgoyne.

The most common, and perhaps the most believable, is that a soldier who fought in the U.S. War of Independence with the General came home from battle and decided to name this public house in his honour.
When this was is still unclear, but the building itself is thought to have been built around the early 17th century.

Although Macabre to many, the skull in a cupboard displayed in the 'snug' area of the bar, is a former actor (Mummer) on the stage of life. He lurks grinning in his spice cupboard dated 1702, the year of William III's death. Perhaps the black oak is rather like a coffin, but also it is used to contain useful sweet-smelling herbs such as Ophelia's Rosemary for Rememberance. These offset the smell of death and also cheer the skull. The top of the skulls head has been sawn off. This many have occurred during a post mortem, or perhaps it was dug up as a joke be the village sexton to scare the locals.

As life goes in the pub, we eat and drink as he silently wishes us well. His grin has bade "Goodnight" to generations of landlords. ---------- Extracts from original work by David Cross, August 1990.		It is said today that if the skull is removed from the cupboard a curse will befall the offender!

The General Burgoyne- the man himself! Facts you may, or may not, have known about him...

	He was born in 1722 in Sutton, Bedfordshire (England).
	He was best remembered for his defeat by superior American forces in the Saratoga (New York) campaign of 1777, during the U.S. War of Independence.
	He served a distinction in the Seven Years' War (1756-63).
	He was elected to the House of Commons in 1761 and again in 1768.
	For a short time (1782-83) he was commander in chief in Ireland.
	He was known as "Gentleman Johnnie".
	He wrote several plays, of which the most successful was "The Heiress" (1786).

The General Burgoyne- and the U.S. War of Independence.
Assigned to Canada in 1776 as a Major General, he entered into an offensive in which British armies from the north (Burgoyne's troops), south (General Sir William Howe's), and west (Colonel Barry St. Leger's) would unite at Albany, (New York), isolating New England from the other rebellious colonies. Burgoyne's force captured Fort Ticonderoga on July 6, 1777, but, after reaching the Hudson River, was fought to a standstill
by a much larger army commanded successively by General Philip Schuyler and General Horatio Gates, assisted by Brigadier General Benedict Arnold.Exhausting his food and ammunition and receiving no aid from Howe (who chose to fight in Pennsylvania) or St. Leger (who was defeated at Oriskany and withdrew westward), Burgoyne had to surrender to Gates north of Saratoga Springs on Oct. 17, 1777. Paroled along with his troops, he returned to England, where he had to face severe criticism.

The General Burgoyne- the location.

Situated in the South Lakes area of Great Urswick it is not only the pub and the general who have a colouful history, the village itself also has a lot to offer. It's origin is from long before the iron age and the evidence is there to be seen and explored.
	Set around a tarn, (a beautiful view seen from the restaurant), Urwsick is said to have the oldest foundation concerning religion within Furness, being the St. Mary- St. Michael church.
	Origin is thought to be as far back as 1127 when King Alfred was on the throne. Come and see for yourself...

We are proud to be linked with the following sites:
Lake District Links	www.ulverston.net www.cumbria.com