Unusual British Customs and Traditions Familiar and unfamiliar

Oak Apple Day

Monarchists celebrate Charles's II birthday and his escape from the Roundheads on 29th May.
It is called 'Oak Apple Day' in memory of the time when the king hid in an oak tree following the Battle of Worcester.
Thanks to the protection of this tree 'the Boscobel Oak' in the grounds of Boscobel Hall, Staffordshire, Charles was eventually crowned king of Great Britain and Ireland on 29th May 1660.
What is oak apple day?

How was Oak Apple Day marked?
Oak Apple Day was a time for dancing and parties.
To show their support for the monarchy, people wore sprigs of oak leaves or a sprig with an oak apple on.
Anyone who failed to wear a sprig of oak risked being pelted with bird's eggs or thrashed with nettles.

How is Oak Apple Day celebrated today?
Although the public holiday was abolished in 1859, Oak Apple Day continues to be celebrated in parts of England today.
Northampton still remembers Charles II and his escape after the battle of Worcester. The town is also grateful to Charles II, for giving the citizens one thousand tons of timber from the Royal forests of Whittlewood, after a great fire almost razed the town in 1675. A garland of oak-apples is laid at Charles II's statue each year.
London too celebrates the 29th May at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, which Charles founded as a home for Army pensioners.
The Chelsea Pensioners parade on
this day for inspection by a
member of the Royal Family in honour
of King Charles II.

Castleton Garland Day is held on Oak Apple Day.
It is a custom that has been celebrated in Castleton for hundreds of years, originally, possibly as a fertility rite, but today it is said to commemorate the restoration of Charles II. The Garland is 3 feet high and is made from a wooden frame to which small bunches of wild flowers and leaves are tied. It is worn by a man dressed in Stuart costume.

The Oak Tree is a symbol of England
The image of the Royal Oak can be pubs and hotels signs, on stamps and also on coins (£1). There have also been numerous naval ships, a train and a London underground station named ‘The Royal Oak’.

So, what can you do today?
Plant an oak tree.
Make crafts with acorns. If you have or live near an oak tree, there will be an abundance, always, and all you have to do is collect them.
Pick up all the fallen branches and collect them for firewood. They are perfect if you have a fire pit!
Play up the Green Man (wild man of the woods) motif by making leaf covered masks and headdresses.
Eat an apple. No, not an oak apple. A regular, old fashioned, honest to goodness apple. Eat them all year long. They're good for you.
Hug an oak tree. An important thing to remember here is that trees are the lungs of the world, so take care of them..

Thank you for attention

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