Wednesday 14 August 2013

The Tudors and their Trees

It may seem odd but there actually are a few connections between the Tudors and different trees. Let's take a look at how they are connected...

Queen Elizabeth oak, Northiam, East Sussex, UK, you might think this 1,000 year old tree is just a tree but it's a very special tree! When Queen Elizabeth I journeyed to Rye on August 1573 she sat under this tree and ate a meal. She changed her shoes of green damask silk with a 2 5" heel and pointed toe and left them behind as a memento of her visit. They are still in existence and are shown on special occasions. They are kept at Brickwall a Jacobean House in the villageThis tree is known as "the Queen Elizabeth Oak" and is located in Northiam, Sussex. Elizabeth I stayed here on her way to Rye in 1573 and decided to eat her meal in the shade of the oak. When she was done she left her shoes behind. These green damask shoes - with a heel of 2,5 inch - still exits and are exhibited at Brickwall House. The little plaque next to the tree informs visitors of the oak's royal past.

And it was under an oak tree that Elizabeth first heard the news that she was now Queen of England. The actual tree is long gone but Queen Elizabeth II herself planted a new tree on the exact spot of the old one to honour the memory of her namesake. The new (and old) oak tree was placed at Hatfield House where Elizabeth had been under house arrest. The to-be Queen was either eating an apple or reading when courtiers suddenly rushed to her side and bowed down to her. She then dropped gracefully to her knees herself - having risen at the sight of the courtiers - and made her famous quotation in Latin: "This is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes."

Another little tidbit is about Elizabeth's doomed mother Anne Boleyn. Her ghost is said to appear at her childhood home Hever Castle in Kent where she roams around a large oak (perhaps a family favourite?). As it happens this was one of the trees under which Henry VIII courted Anne before their tragic marriage. Legend has it that the couple even danced around the tree. Despite this link to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII the tree is also known as "the Queen Elizabeth Oak" (the names have been ground for confusion)

4 comments:

  1. Are there any photographs p[osted anywhere of the shoes, or can they only be viewd at the school?

    ReplyDelete
  2. @Theresa I am not quite sure what you are asking? :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm trying to work out the 3 reasons for the dwindling of tree population in the tudor time can you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My email is also frary8sr@btinternet.com please can you help with tudor question

      Delete