Oak Apple Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oak Apple Day |
|
|---|---|
An oak apple
|
|
| Also called |
|
| Type | Historical |
| Observances | Wearing of sprigs of oak leaves and/or oak apples |
| Date | 29 May |
| Next time | 29 May 2026 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | 1661 |
| Act of Parliament | |
|
|
| 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| Repealed by | Anniversary Days Observance Act 1859 |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Status: Repealed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| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
Oak Apple Day, also known as Royal Oak Day or Restoration Day, was a special public holiday. It was celebrated every year on May 29th in England, Wales, and Ireland. This day remembered the return of the Stuart monarchy (the royal family) to power in May 1660. This event is called the Restoration.
In 1660, the English Parliament passed a law. It made May 29th a public holiday. The law said it was a day to thank God for bringing back King Charles II. King Charles II had been living in exile. He returned to London on May 29, 1660. This day was also his 30th birthday.
The official public holiday was stopped in 1859. However, some places in England still celebrate Oak Apple Day today. For example, the Royal Hospital Chelsea still observes it as Founder's Day. King Charles II founded this hospital in 1681.
Traditional Celebrations
Traditional ways to celebrate Oak Apple Day often involved wearing oak apples. These are small, round growths found on oak trees. People also wore sprigs (small branches) of oak leaves. This tradition honored the time when Charles II hid in an oak tree.
This happened after the Battle of Worcester in September 1651. Charles II was escaping from the Roundhead army. He hid safely in an oak tree near Boscobel House.
If someone didn't wear an oak sprig, they might get into trouble. They risked being hit with bird's eggs or stung with nettles. In Sussex, people who didn't wear oak might be pinched. This led to the unofficial name "Pinch-bum Day." In Essex, it was sometimes called "Bumping Day."
In Upton Grey, Hampshire, bell-ringers would place large oak branches. They put one over the church porch and another over the lychgate. Smaller branches were put at the entrance of every house. This was believed to bring good luck for the year.
Modern Events
Oak Apple Day is still celebrated in several places today. These include Upton-upon-Severn in Worcestershire and Marsh Gibbon in Buckinghamshire. Villagers in Great Wishford in Wiltshire gather wood in Grovely Wood. Celebrations also happen in Aston-on-Clun in Shropshire and Membury in Devon.
At Fownhope in Herefordshire, the Heart of Oak Society holds an annual event. Members meet at the local pub. They march through the village holding sticks decorated with flowers and oak leaves. A brass band and the society banner lead the way. The march goes to the church for a service. Then, they visit houses that offer refreshments. The Heart of Oak Society used to be a friendly society. It reformed in 1989 to keep this tradition alive. Fownhope has successfully kept the event going. It grows more popular each year.
At All Saints' Church, Northampton, a statue of Charles II is decorated. Oak leaves are placed on it at noon every Oak Apple Day. This is followed by a church service. The statue was put up in 1712. It thanked Charles II for his help in rebuilding the church.
Oak Apple Day is also celebrated in the Cornish village of St Neot. The vicar leads a procession through the village. The Tower Captain follows, holding an oak bough (a large branch). Many villagers walk to the church behind them. A story about the event's history is told. Then, the vicar blesses the branch. The Tower Captain throws the old branch down from the church tower. A new one is then pulled to the top. Everyone is invited to the vicarage gardens for food and a barbecue. Before noon, villagers wear a sprig of "red" (new) oak. In the afternoon, they wear a sprig of "Boys Love" (a plant called Artemisia abrotanum). Tradition says that if you don't do this, you might get stung by nettles.
In 2021, Oak Apple Day was celebrated in Eton Wick. This village is close to Windsor Castle, one of Charles II's former homes.
See also
- Push penny
- Saint George's Day in England
