The Royal Oak

When you next raise a glass in The Royal Oak, spare a thought for the historical background.

After the disastrous Battle of Worcester,  King Charles II had to flee. He originally tried to head west, over to Wales and then on to France, but it was impossible and he turned back at Malvern.

He was supported by loyal followers, among them the Pendrel family, who lived at Boscobel House. He was taken there and hidden high up in an old oak tree (extra photo). The area was thickly forested and he was a lot safer then than he would be now, among the farmland.

He spent the night afterwards hiding in a tiny priest hole in the house, before making his escape.

Sadly, the original tree died. Apparently, souvenir hunters lopped of pieces, but  not just slivers - whole boughs.  The one in the photo is "son of tree" and sadly, this one is also dying. The Prince of Wales (also a Charles) planted a sapling just adjacent to the tree in Millennium year. You can just make it out inside the palisade.

So, to those of you drinking in the Royal Oak - many cheers !

And apologies for my double error yesterday.  The waterbird was most certainly not silly - and it wasn't even a coot.  Thank you for helping identify that the little red topknot belonged to a Moorhen.