The Parliament Oak
Picture Gallery
So called because tradition holds that King John held an informal parliament beneath the tree in 1212, and in November 1290 Edward I and his Barons held (a brief but earnest) parliament beneath its branches. Park. News was brought to the Royal party of a second revolt amongst the Welsh. This is said to have resulted in the execution of 28 Welsh hostages then confined in Nottingham Castle.In time the Parliament Oak rotted, but a new shoot sprouted within the old trunk and the two remain, gripped by iron railings.
Writing of the tree in 1850, one observer* noted "With a massive trunk shattered and rent asunder, bereft of his noble arms, branchless and decrepit, this patriarch of the forest, once of sufficient consequence to invite even Royalty beneath its shade, now leans for support against the sturdy props with which he has been surrounded".
* Anon 'A Visit to Sherwood Forest' (Nottingham, Allen, Shaw & Sons, 1850, p.78) |
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