Oak Apple Day

Last updated

Oak Apple Day
BiorhizaPallida 1 140512.JPG
An oak apple
Also called
  • Restoration Day
  • Royal Oak Day
  • Shick Shack Day
  • Oak and Nettle Day
  • Yak Bob Day
TypeHistorical
ObservancesWearing of sprigs of oak leaves and/or oak apples
Date 29 May
Next time29 May 2025 (2025-05-29)
FrequencyAnnual
First time1661

Restoration Day, more commonly known as Oak Apple Day or Royal Oak Day, was an English, Welsh and Irish public holiday, observed annually on 29 May, to commemorate the restoration of the Stuart monarchy in May 1660. [1] In some parts of England the day is still celebrated. It has also been known as Shick Shack Day, or Oak and Nettle Day. [2]

Contents

Observance of 29th May Act 1660
Act of Parliament
Coat of Arms of England (1660-1689).svg
Long title An Act for a Perpetuall Anniversary Thanksgiveing on the nine and twentieth day of May.
Citation 12 Cha. 2. c. 14
Dates
Royal assent 29 August 1660
Other legislation
Repealed by Anniversary Days Observance Act 1859
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted

In 1660, the English Parliament passed into law "An Act for a Perpetual Anniversary Thanksgiving on the Nine and Twentieth Day of May", the Observance of 29th May Act 1660 (12 Cha. 2. c. 14), declaring 29 May a public holiday "for keeping of a perpetual Anniversary, for a Day of Thanksgiving to God, for the great Blessing and Mercy he hath been graciously pleased to vouchsafe to the People of these Kingdoms, after their manifold and grievous Sufferings, in the Restoration of his Majesty..." [3] Charles II of England, returning from exile, entered London on 29 May 1660, his 30th birthday.

The public holiday was abolished under the Anniversary Days Observance Act 1859, but the date retains some significance in local and institutional customs. It is, for example, still observed as Founder's Day by the Royal Hospital Chelsea, which was founded by Charles II in 1681. [4] [5]

Observance of 29th May Act 1662
Act of Parliament
Kingdom Ireland.svg
Long title An Act for a Perpetual Anniversary Thanksgiving, on the Nine and Twentieth day of May, in this Kingdom.
Citation 14 & 15 Chas. 2 Sess. 4. c. 1 (I)

In Ireland, Oak Apple Day was made a public holiday under the 'Observance of 29th May Act 1662 (14 & 15 Chas. 2 Sess. 4. c. 1 (I)). [6] [7]

Ceremonies

Traditional celebrations to commemorate the event often entailed the wearing of oak apples (a type of plant gall, possibly known in some parts of the country as a "shick-shack" [8] ) or sprigs of oak leaves, in reference to the occasion after the Battle of Worcester in September 1651, when Charles II escaped the Roundhead army by hiding in an oak tree near Boscobel House. [9] Anyone who failed to wear a sprig of oak risked being pelted with bird's eggs or thrashed with nettles. [10] In Sussex, those not wearing oak were liable to be pinched, giving rise to the unofficial name of "Pinch-bum Day"; similarly it was known as "Bumping Day" in Essex. [11]

In Upton Grey, Hampshire, after the church bells had been rung at 6 am the bell-ringers used to place a large branch of oak over the church porch, and another over the lychgate. Smaller branches were positioned in the gateway of every house to ensure good luck for the rest of the year. [12]

Modern events

Statue of Charles II at All Saints' Church, Northampton with a now-wilted oak branch Charles II Northampton.JPG
Statue of Charles II at All Saints' Church, Northampton with a now-wilted oak branch

Events still take place at Upton-upon-Severn in Worcestershire, Marsh Gibbon in Buckinghamshire, Great Wishford in Wiltshire (when villagers gather wood in Grovely Wood), Aston-on-Clun in Shropshire and Membury in Devon. The day has been marked in the past by re-enactment activities at Moseley Old Hall, West Midlands, one of the houses where Charles II hid in 1651.

At Fownhope in Herefordshire the Heart of Oak Society organise an annual event, where members of the society gather at the local pub and march through the village holding flower and oak leaf decorated sticks, whilst following the society banner and a brass band. The march goes first to the church for a service, and then to houses who host refreshments. The Heart of Oak Society was previously a friendly society, but had to reform in 1989 to keep the tradition going. Although Oak Apple Day celebrations have decreased in popularity and knowledge, Fownhope has managed to keep the event going, increasing in popularity and turn-out every year. [13]

At All Saints' Church, Northampton, a statue of Charles II is garlanded with oak leaves at noon every Oak Apple Day, followed by a celebration of the Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer . [14] [15] The statue of Charles II by John Hunt was erected on the portico parapet of All Saints' Church in 1712 in thanksgiving for his part in the rebuilding of the church.

Oak Apple Day is also celebrated in the Cornish village of St Neot. [14] The vicar leads a procession through the village, he is followed by the Tower Captain holding the Oak bough. A large number of the villagers follow walking to the Church. A story of the history of the event is told and then the vicar blesses the branch. The Tower Captain throws the old branch down from the top of the tower and a new one is hauled to the top. Everyone is then invited to the vicarage gardens for refreshments and a barbecue. Up to 12 noon villagers wear a sprig of "red" (new) oak and in the afternoon wear a sprig of "Boys Love" (Artemisia abrotanum); tradition dictates that the punishment for not doing this results in being stung by nettles.

In 2021, Oak Apple Day was celebrated at Eton Wick within sight of Charles II's former home of Windsor Castle. [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">August</span> Eighth month in the Julian and Gregorian calendars

August is the eighth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 31 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halloween</span> Annual celebration held on 31 October

Halloween or Hallowe'en is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. It is at the beginning of the observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed. In popular culture, the day has become a celebration of horror, being associated with the macabre and supernatural.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheel of the Year</span> Annual cycle of seasonal festivals observed by modern pagans

The Wheel of the Year is an annual cycle of seasonal festivals, observed by a range of modern pagans, marking the year's chief solar events and the midpoints between them. Modern pagan observances are based to varying degrees on folk traditions, regardless of the historical practices of world civilizations. British neopagans popularized the Wheel of the Year in the mid-20th century, combining the four solar events marked by many European peoples, with the four midpoint festivals celebrated by Insular Celtic peoples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuart Restoration</span> 1660 restoration of the monarchy in the British Isles

The Stuart Restoration was the reinstatement in May 1660 of the Stuart monarchy in England, Scotland, and Ireland. It replaced the Commonwealth of England, established in January 1649 after the execution of Charles I, with his son Charles II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upton, Slough</span> Human settlement in England

Upton is a suburb of Slough, in the Slough district, in the ceremonial county of Berkshire, England. Until the local government reforms of 1974 it was in Buckinghamshire. It was one of the villages that developed into the town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Oak</span> Tree in which King Charles II hid in 1651

The Royal Oak was the English oak tree within which the future King Charles II of England hid to escape the Roundheads following the Battle of Worcester in 1651. The tree was in Boscobel Wood, which was part of the park of Boscobel House. Charles told Samuel Pepys in 1680 that while he was hiding in the tree, a Parliamentarian soldier passed directly below it. The story was popular after the Restoration, and is remembered every year in the English traditions of Royal Oak Day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guy Fawkes Night</span> Annual custom originating in England

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Fireworks Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain, involving bonfires and fireworks displays. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605 O.S., when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. The Catholic plotters had intended to assassinate Protestant king James I and his parliament. Celebrating that the king had survived, people lit bonfires around London. Months later, the Observance of 5th November Act mandated an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oak apple</span> Gall found on oak trees

Oak apple or oak gall is the common name for a large, round, vaguely apple-like gall commonly found on many species of oak. Oak apples range in size from 2 to 4 centimetres in diameter and are caused by chemicals injected by the larva of certain kinds of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae.

An accession day is usually the anniversary of the date on which a monarch or executive takes office. The earliest records of accession celebrations date from the reign of Emperor Kanmu of Japan, and the custom is now observed in many nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thanksgiving (Canada)</span> Holiday which celebrates the harvest and other blessings

Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day, is an annual Canadian holiday held on the second Monday in October. Outside the country, it may be referred to as Canadian Thanksgiving to distinguish it from the American holiday of the same name and related celebrations in other regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thanksgiving (United States)</span> American federal holiday in November

Thanksgiving is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It is sometimes called American Thanksgiving to distinguish it from the Canadian holiday of the same name and related celebrations in other regions. It originated as a day of thanksgiving and harvest festival, with the theme of the holiday revolving around giving thanks and the centerpiece of celebrations remaining a Thanksgiving dinner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thanksgiving</span> Holiday in various countries

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in October and November in the United States, Canada, Saint Lucia, Liberia, and unofficially in countries like Brazil, Germany and the Philippines. It is also observed in the Dutch town of Leiden and the Australian territory of Norfolk Island. It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest and of the preceding year. Various similarly named harvest festival holidays occur throughout the world during autumn. Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, it has long been celebrated as a secular holiday as well.

Events from the year 1660 in England. This is the year of the Stuart Restoration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicholas Monck</span>

Nicholas Monck was a Bishop of Hereford and Provost of Eton College, both royal appointments made by King Charles II following the 1660 Restoration of the Monarchy which was largely effected by his elder brother George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle (1608–1670), KG. Nicholas Monck was "a great assistant in the Restoration to his brother".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Wishford</span> Human settlement in England

Great Wishford is a village and civil parish in the Wylye Valley in Wiltshire, England, about three miles (5 km) north of Wilton and five miles (8 km) northwest of Salisbury. The village lies west of a bend in the River Wylye and has a triangular street layout comprising South Street, West Street and Station Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Observance of 5th November Act 1605</span> 1606 Act of the English Parliament

The Observance of 5th November Act 1605, also known as the Thanksgiving Act 1605, was an act of the Parliament of England passed in 1606 in the aftermath of the Gunpowder Plot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Restoration (Ireland)</span>

The Restoration of the Monarchy of Ireland began in 1660. The Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland (1649–1660) resulted from the Wars of the Three Kingdoms but collapsed in 1659. Politicians such as General Monck tried to ensure a peaceful transition of government from the "Commonwealth" republic back to monarchy. From 1 May 1660 the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under King Charles II. The term Restoration may apply both to the actual event by which the monarchy was restored, and to the period immediately before and after the event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castleton Garland Day</span>

Castleton Garland Day or Garland King Day is held annually on 29 May in the town of Castleton in the Derbyshire Peak District. The Garland King, on horseback, and covered to the waist in a heavy, bell-shaped floral garland, leads a procession through the town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sovereignty Restoration Day</span> Hawaiian national holiday

Sovereignty Restoration Day is a national holiday of the former Hawaiian Kingdom celebrated on July 31 and still commemorated by Native Hawaiians in the state of Hawaii. It honors the restoration of sovereignty to the kingdom, following the occupation of Hawaiʻi by Great Britain during the 1843 Paulet Affair, by British Rear-Admiral Richard Darton Thomas and when King Kamehameha III uttered the phrase: Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono.

England traditionally celebrates a number of Christian and secular festivals. Most are observed throughout the country but some, such as Oak Apple Day, Souling, Rushbearing, Bawming the Thorn, and Hocktide, are local to certain regions.

References

Footnotes

  1. Chambers 1879, pp. 693–694.
  2. Hole 1978, pp. 114–115.
  3. Browning 1995, p. 54; House of Commons Journal 1802, pp. 49–50.
  4. Drake-Carnell 1938, p. 73.
  5. "Old Soldiers on Parade to Honour Royal Founder". The Times. London. 7 June 2012. p. 20.
  6. McNally, Frank (28 May 2019). "Out of his tree – Frank McNally on Royal Oak Day and the pub name it inspired". The Irish Times.
  7. Harris, Tim (26 January 2006). Restoration: Charles II and His Kingdoms, 1660-1685. Penguin UK. ISBN   9780141926742 via Google Books.
  8. "shick-shack". OED Online. Oxford University Press. March 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  9. Timms, Elizabeth Jane (15 April 2016). "What is Oak Apple Day?". Royal Central. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  10. Hole 1978, pp. 114–115; Vickery 2010, pp. 165–166.
  11. Watts 2007, p. 331.
  12. "Hampshire Treasures, Vol. 2 (Basingstoke and Deane): Upton Grey". Hampshire County Council. 29 October 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
  13. "Heart of Oak - Fownhope Village". sites.google.com. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  14. 1 2 Vickery 2010, p. 166.
  15. "Restoration of the Monarchy". All Saints' Church Northampton. 29 May 2010. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  16. "Eton Wick Events". Eton Wick Village Association. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.

Bibliography

  • Browning, Andrew (1995). English Historical Documents. Volume 6: 1660–1714 (2nd ed.). Abingdon-on-Thames, England: Routledge. ISBN   978-0-415-14371-4.
  • Chambers, Robert (1879). The Book of Days: A Miscellany of Popular Antiquities in Connection with the Calendar. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: W. & R. Chambers.
  • Drake-Carnell, F. J. (1938). Old English Customs and Ceremonies. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  • Hole, Christina (1978). A Dictionary of British Folk Customs. London: Paladin Granada. ISBN   978-0-586-08293-5.
  • House of Commons Journal. Volume 8: 30 May 1660. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. 1802. Retrieved 3 November 2017 via British History Online.
  • Vickery, Roy (2010). Garlands, Conkers and Mother-Die: British and Irish Plant-Lore. London: Continuum. ISBN   978-1-4411-0195-2.
  • Watts, D. C. (2007). Dictionary of Plant Lore. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Academic Press. ISBN   978-0-080-54602-5.