The Kings Arms by YorkArtist's resident artist Mark Braithwaite
From The Classic York Collection
The King's Arms has a picturesque location on King's Staithe, on the banks of the River Ouse.
4th November 2000 saw the highest level the River Ouse has reached in over 400 years. The bar of the King's Arms was completely submerged, and the pub was forced to close for a number of weeks. The view of the building under water became one of the most memorable images of the city's crisis, and was broadcast worldwide by television crews.
Happily, the pub has since been refitted, complete with removable fittings, right down to the top of the bar itself. Everything can be rapidly removed - in a matter of minutes - should the river look close to bursting its banks!
Apparently, the Kings Arms is the only public house in England to be licensed to have its beer cellar upstairs!
Mark Braithwaite presented print No. 1 of a 50 Signed Edition Giclee of the King's Arms picture to landlord Mike Hartley following the events of 2000, and it now hangs above the fireplace in the pub itself. The giclee edition sold out very quickly.
The Kings Arms is one of the few York prints by Mark which does not feature Lucy, his black cat, as Lucy didn't enjoy the floods at all!
A larger, artist signed version, presented in a 300x400mm mount, is also available.
