Since Robert Theakston first took a lease on The Black Bull Inn and Brewhouse in 1827, Theakstons is a brewer that has become synonymous with award winning creamy ales and in particular – the legendary Old Peculier.
It's taken around 180 years for Theakstons' range of classic and seasonal ales to develop into the legend that they are today.
The brewery has seen numerous changes during that time including ownership battles and development of many of the traditions still in existence today.
The Old Peculier is one of the most loved Yorkshire ales. Its emblem, the Official Seal of the Old Peculier is as unique as the ale's taste.
How many beers are connected to a story from the Crusades?
A Particularly Peculier Tale
During the reign of William the Conqueror the lands and estates of Mashamshire were given to Nigel de Albini, one of William's captains, who had laid waste to this part of the country.
The lands subsequently passed to Nigel's son, Roger de Mowbray, who proved his worth as a knight at the Battle of Standard in 1138, when a great victory was won over the invading Scottish army, and then went to the Holy Lands to fight in the Crusades.
During this time, he was captured by Saladin and held to ransom for seven years until he was redeemed by the Knights Templar. In gratitude for this, he donated the living of the church at Masham to the Church of St Peter in York.
However, the journey from York to Masham was both arduous and dangerous, so the Archbishop of York established the Peculier Court of Masham to avoid having to make regular visits (peculier is a Norman word meaning particular).
The chairman of this court is known as the Official and he has a special seal to mark his approval or decision.
The Court has a great deal of local power and the following are some of the offences dealt with in the past:
- not coming to church enough
- keeping a hat on at communion
- for bidding the church wardens to do their worst
- on being asked to go to church
- not bringing their children to be baptised
- husband and wife living apart
- drunkenness
- swearing
- for brawling and scolding
- for harbouring Roman Catholic priests
- for carrying a dead man's skull out of the churchyard and laying it under the head of a person to charm them to sleep.
The Legend Continues
Did you find history boring at school?
Well, imagine you’re sitting in a friendly pub next to a roaring fire, with a pint of Theakston in your hand.
It tastes great, and your mind gets to wondering how such a beer could come about.
865AD
Guthrum divides the kingdom of Deira and forms the equivalent of North Yorkshire (North Thryding), in which the market town of Masham is found.
1066
Nigel de Albini bequeathed the 'realm' of Masham by William the Conqueror for helping defeat the English.
1086
The Domesday Book mentions the village of Theakston, the namesake for the family.
1138
Roger de Mowbray
succeeds his father Nigel
and becomes a knight.
12th Century
Roger de Mowbray decides to donate the living of the church at Masham to the church of St Peter in York. The journey from York to Masham is both arduous and dangerous, so the Bishop of York sets up the 'Peculier Court of Masham' to avoid having to make regular visits.
1587
Sir Richard Theakston is knighted and the Theakston coat of arms is created.
1741
Granting of current seal of the ‘Peculier Court of Masham’ by George III.
1827
Robert Theakston sets up brewery at the Black
Bull pub.
1832
John Wood dies. Robert had married John Wood's sister, Elanor, a few years earlier.
1875
Robert’s son Thomas takes over and builds the
new brewery, which is
still in use today.
1905
T&R Theakston becomes a limited company.
1919
Lightfoot Brewery is acquired, it is rumoured
this is because they
always beat us at cricket.
1941
Old White Bear Inn is destroyed by an enemy
bomb and the old
brewery cottages are
converted to the new
White Bear Inn.
1968
Michael Theakston joins the Brewery.
1974
Acquire Carlisle State Management Brewery, the only state-owned brewery (nationalised by Lloyd George in 1914, to control the excessive drinking by the munitions workers of Carlisle).
1981
Simon Theakston joins brewery.
1984
Matthew Brown plc, a Blackburn based brewer, takes control of T&R Theakston.
1987
Scottish & Newcastle take over Matthew Brown, and T&R Theakston with it.
1995
Current brewery cooper, Jonathan Manby, starts work. Trained by Clive Hollis, master brewer and cooper, Jonathan is one of the few remaining coopers in the country.
2003
Theakston Brothers (Nick, Simon, Tim and
Edward) regain control
of the brewery – the fifth generation of
Theakston brewers.