Description: The Royal Children is a pub with medieval origins. Above the door is the shoulder blade bone of a whale indicating that whale oil for lamps was once available there. Whitby whaling skippers would distribute portions of the skeletons of their gigantic prey as advertisements for whale oil. Compare this picture with a photograph of the building in 1929 with a different facade at NTGM004382. The royal children in question were Princess Anne's children in the 1680's. In 1688, when King James II's throne was about to fall, Anne, his daughter, fled away from his court and found refuge in Nottingham. She was hospitably entertained at the Castle, and was popular in the whole neighbourhood. There is a tradition that her children were accommodated in this inn, and it is alleged that upon the birth of a royal child all the regulars are given a glass of champagne. This picture was taken looking from St Nicholas' Churchyard, before St Nicholas Street opposite was widened.