Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651

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  CHARLES AND CARELESS HIDING IN THE OAK.]

  BOSCOBEL OR THE ROYAL OAK.

  A TALE OF THE YEAR 1651.

  BY

  WILLIAM HARRISON AINSWORTH.

  AUTHOR OF "THE TOWER OF LONDON," &c.

  ILLUSTRATED.

  In that fair part where the rich Salop gains An ample view o'er all the Western plains, A grove appears which BOSCOBEL they name, Not known to maps; a grove of scanty fame. And yet henceforth no celebrated shade Of all the British groves shall be more glorious made.

  COWLEY'S _Sylva_. Book VI.

  LONDON GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS, LIMITED BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL GLASGOW, MANCHESTER, AND NEW YORK

  INSCRIBED

  TO THE MEMORY OF MY OLD FRIEND,

  JOHN HUGHES, ESQ.,

  OF

  DONNINGTON HOUSE, BERKS,

  EDITOR OF

  The "Boscobel Tracts,"

  SON OF

  MRS. HUGHES, OF KINGSTON LISLE,

  FATHER OF

  THOMAS HUGHES, M.P.

  PREFACE.

  In his letter to Mr. Hughes, the then Bishop of Llandaff describes KingCharles the Second's Wanderings after the Battle of Worcester "as beingby far the most romantic piece of English history we possess."

  I have always entertained the same opinion, and after reading the"Boscobel Tracts," so admirably edited by Mr. Hughes, I resolved towrite a story on the subject, which should comprehend the principalincidents described in the various narratives of the King's adventures;but not having at that time visited any of the hiding-places, Ideferred my design, and possibly might never have executed it, had Inot seen a series of Views depicting most graphically the actual stateof the different places visited by Charles, and privately published byMr. Frederick Manning, of Leamington.

  Stimulated by these remarkable sketches, I at once commenced mylong-delayed Tale.

  An enthusiast on the subject, Mr. Manning has collected all thenumerous editions of the "Boscobel Tracts," and has printed a list ofthem, which is exceedingly curious. The collection is probably unique.His nephew, Mr. John E. Anderdon, whose death occurred while this workwas in the press, was also an enthusiastic collector of all mattersrelating to Boscobel and the King's escapes, and from both thesegentlemen I have derived much valuable assistance[1].

  I am under equal obligations to my excellent friend, Mr. Parke, of theDeanery, Wolverhampton, who has furnished me with many curious tracts,prints, plans, and privately printed books relating to Boscobel,Brewood, and Chillington. I shall always retain a most agreeablerecollection of a visit paid to Chillington in company with Mr. Parkeand the Hon. Charles Wrottesley, and of our hearty reception by thehospitable Squire.

  Among the various works relating to Boscobel that have come under mynotice is a charming little volume written by the Rev. George Dodd,Curate of Doddington, Salop, the village where Boscobel is situated,who has ascertained all the facts connected with the story.

  Boscobel House, I rejoice to say, is in very good preservation, and Isincerely hope it may not be altered, or _improved_, as is the casewith Trent--a most interesting old house. Moseley Hall is still extant;but, alas! Bentley House and Abbots Leigh are gone.

  Finer figures do not appear in history than those of the devoted JaneLane and the stalwart and loyal Penderel Brothers. "The simple rusticwho serves his sovereign in time of need to the utmost extent of hisability, is as deserving of commendation as the victorious leader ofthousands." So said King Charles the Second to Richard Penderel afterthe Restoration. It is pleasant to think that several descendants ofthe loyal family of Penderels are still in existence. With some of themI have been in correspondence.[2]

  Good fortune seems to have attended those who aided the fugitivemonarch. Many representatives of the old families who assisted himin his misfortunes are to be found--Mr. John Newton Lane, of King'sBromley Hall, near Lichfield, a lineal descendant of the Lanes; Mr.Tombs, of Long Marston; Mr. Whitgreave, of Moseley; the Giffards, ofChillington; and the ennobled family of Wyndham.

  In describing the King's flight from Worcester to White Ladies onthe night of the fatal 3rd of September, I have followed exactly thecareful topographical description furnished by the Rev. Edward Bradley,Rector of Stretton, Oakham, to _Notes and Queries_, June 13th, 1868.Mr. Bradley has been the first to trace out the King's route, and tohim all credit is due.[3]

  "I know of no part of our annals," remarks Mr. Hughes, "whichcontinues to be so familiar a subject of conversation among thecommonalty as that connected with 'King Charles and the Royal Oak.' Inevery village directly or indirectly marked by particular incidents ofthe King's escape, the honest rustics preserve their scattered legendsin a shape more or less correct, and mixed and transposed as theymust necessarily be in many cases; and it is pleasing to witness theyeomanly pride with which, like Catholics zealous for the honour of OurLady of some particular shrine, they contend for the appropriation ofsome well-known incident, as connected with the good and loyal serviceperformed by the companions of their forefathers. The interest is,in most cases, strengthened by the existence of the identical houseswhere the circumstances in question took place, and of the principalfamilies whose names figure conspicuously in the Tale, as well as bythe slightness of difference between our present domestic habits andthose of a time commencing, as it were, the more familiar era of dates.And to all ranks, in fact, the occurrences in question are calculatedto present one of those pleasing episodes in history, distinct from thewearying details of bloodshed and political intrigue, which we dwellon with unmixed satisfaction as reflecting honour on our national goodfaith, and as brought home to our fancy by those domestic _minuti?_,which form so great a charm in the Odyssey. The reality here presentsall those features of romance which the imagination chiefly suppliesin the Partie de Chasse d'Henri IV., or the incognitos of HarounAlraschid."

  It has been very pleasant to me to follow the King in his wanderingsfrom place to place; and I have reason to believe that the storyexcited some interest in the different localities as it proceeded, whenfirst published in a serial form.

  In describing the old and faithful city of Worcester at the time ofthe Battle, I have received very great assistance from a distinguishedlocal antiquary, which I have acknowledged in its place.

  Never did Charles bear himself better than after the Battle. Thoughvanquished he was not overcome. Truthfully, though in somewhathigh-flown strains, has Cowley sung of him:

  Yet still great Charles's valour stood the test, By fortune though forsaken and opprest. Witness the purple-dyed Sabrina's stream, And the Red Hill, not called so now in vain. And Worcester, thou who didst the misery bear, And saw'st the end of a long fatal war.

  The Tale closes with the King's departure from Heale. How he journeyedfrom Salisbury to Brightelmstone, and embarked safely on board CaptainTattersall's bark at Shoreham, I have elsewhere related.

  HURSTPIERPOINT, _October 9, 1872_.

  NOTE BY MR. MANNING.

  When Charles arrived within a mile of Stratford, perceiving a body of troopers, he and his party proceeded, by the road marked A in the plan, as far as the junction B. They then returned by the road marked C, and at the end of the lane, went down the hill into Stratford between the two large estates of Clopton and Welcombe, and over the bridge to Marston.

  ++ MAP OF ROAD TO STRATFORD.]