Oak History ...

The Royal Oak refers to the tree in which King Charles II successfully hid from the Parliamentarians after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester on 3rd of September 1651 during the English Civil War. The 29th of May, Charles’s birthday, was declared ‘Oak Apple Day’ in 1664 after the restoration of the Monarchy and a special service inserted into the Book of Common Prayer. The day was celebrated for over two hundred years by wearing a sprig of oak leaves in remembrance of the good fortune the king had experienced. Anyone caught not wearing an oak leaf could be pinched, kicked or otherwise abused. The whipping with nettles was a favourite punishment!

To this day, the Royal family, recognising the debt they owe, send a Christmas present to the direct descendant of the local landowner who helped Charles hide from Cromwell’s soldiers, allowing the future king to successfully flee to France. Today Simon and his team hope that you too will find refuge in the Royal Oak: at Widcombe.