Morning, ladies and gentlemen, and a very happy Friday to you. Heres what I learned today: The Royal Oak of Meavey Meavey, a village just up the road from Sir Francis Drakes mansion in SW Dartmoor, Devon, is home to this wonderful oak. Science has confirmed beliefs that it was planted during the reign of King John (1166-1216), and its possibly even older than their estimate of 960 years. The tree predates the Church which was built in 1122, and its highly likely that up until then, this was a Gospel Tree, under whose shelter preachers would speak. Its thought that the village cross was erected in the 15th century, to consecrate the tree - and possibly to prevent pagan ceremonies being held there. The churches were a bunch of spoilsports at the time and there was much infighting and other daft malarkey, which is why some of you are reading this from a very long way away :) Because it would have been hollow by the 16th century, its thought that this could have been one of the many trees that hid King Charles from Cromwells men, hence its title of Royal Oak. Which is, by some spooky coincidence, the name of the pub right next to the tree. Up until the 1800s, the top was trimmed flat to accommodate a table and chairs so parties could be held there during the village fair, which is still held every third Saturday in June. The trunk has been hollow for many years, and its said that dinner parties have been held inside the tree, of up to 9 people, according to the pub landlady. Shes not as reliable a source as the bloke, but lets give her the benefit of the doubt, just this once. Despite the ravages of age, and the abuse, the tree has endured. The very top has been dead for some time, but the lower branches still bear leaves and fruit. At one time the tree was supported ny wooden posts, but these have long since rotted, to be replaced with steel rods set in concrete. Its also had some significant reduction surgery, which will help keep it safe, and extend its life. Oak trees take hundred of years to grow, hundreds of years to mature, and hundreds of years to die. Although the years - but mostly the people - have not always been kind, this tree has many years left in it, and itll outlive a good few more human generations to come. But as with all good things, this tree will come to an end one day. All is not lost, because nearby, on another bit of the village green is a younger oak, grown from an acorn from this very tree. And so the wheel turns... Have a very good one, my lovelies :) xxx
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 09:13:17 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015