Oak Apple Day
restoration day commonly known oak apple day royal oak day english welsh irish public holiday observed annually may commemorate restoration stuart monarchy may part england day still celebrated also known shick shack day oak nettle day english parliament passed law act perpetual anniversary thanksgiving nine twentieth day may observance th may act cha c declaring may public holiday keeping perpetual anniversary day thanksgiving god great blessing mercy hath graciously pleased vouchsafe people kingdom manifold grievous suffering restoration majesty charles ii england returning exile entered london may th birthday public holiday abolished anniversary day observance act date retains significance local institutional custom example still observed founder day royal hospital chelsea founded charles ii ireland oak apple day made public holiday observance th may act chas sess c traditional celebration commemorate event often entailed wearing oak apple type plant gall possibly known part country shickshack sprig oak leaf reference occasion battle worcester september charles ii escaped roundhead army hiding oak tree near boscobel house anyone failed wear sprig oak risked pelted bird egg thrashed nettle sussex wearing oak liable pinched giving rise unofficial name pinchbum day similarly known bumping day essex upton grey hampshire church bell rung bellringers used place large branch oak church porch another lychgate smaller branch positioned gateway every house ensure good luck rest year event still take place uptonuponsevern worcestershire marsh gibbon buckinghamshire great wishford wiltshire villager gather wood grovely wood astononclun shropshire membury devon day marked past reenactment activity moseley old hall west midland one house charles ii hid fownhope herefordshire heart oak society organise annual event member society gather local pub march village holding flower oak leaf decorated stick whilst following society banner brass band march go first church service house host refreshment heart oak society previously friendly society reform keep tradition going although oak apple day celebration decreased popularity knowledge fownhope managed keep event going increasing popularity turnout every year saint church northampton statue charles ii garlanded oak leaf noon every oak apple day followed celebration holy communion according book common prayer statue charles ii john hunt erected portico parapet saint church thanksgiving part rebuilding church oak apple day also celebrated cornish village st neot vicar lead procession village followed tower captain holding oak bough large number villager follow walking church story history event told vicar blesses branch tower captain throw old branch top tower new one hauled top everyone invited vicarage garden refreshment barbecue noon villager wear sprig red new oak afternoon wear sprig boy love artemisia abrotanum tradition dictate punishment result stung nettle oak apple day celebrated eton wick within sight charles ii former home windsor castle push penny saint george day england english culture oak apple day custom great wishford chelsea hospital oak apple day british pathé report