London: St Giles-in-the-Fields Oak Apple Day

Oak Apple Day on 29th May commemorates the Restoration to the throne of King Charles II who evaded capture after the Battle of Worcester by hiding from the Parliamentarian troops in the protective canopy of an oak tree at Boscobel House in Shropshire. After the Royalist defeat, Charles eventually made his way to the coast and escaped to the Continent, and Richard Penderell, whose last resting place is a sturdy chest tomb in St Giles’ churchyard, aided the fleeing prince in his escape including helping him into his hiding place in the tree. Penderell was a woodsman on the estate of the Giffard family near to Boscobel, and he was requested by the family to escort the prince to safety; Charles was given a swift haircut and working men’s clothing and thus disguised was able to escape his pursuers, aided by Richard Penderell and his relatives. Charles was on the run for six weeks and the role of the Penderells was vital in his preservation; after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 the Penderell family were rewarded with income from the Civil List and Richard “The King’s Deliverer” made an annual visit to the King thereafter. It was during one of these visits that Richard caught plague and died in 1671, which is how he came to be buried at St Giles’. His memory is honoured each year in a special commemoration on the Sunday nearest Oak Apple Day, when Richard’s tomb is garlanded with oak leaves at the end of the morning service.

Helpful Hints

In 2026 it was on Sunday May 31st; 2027 date is yet to be confirmed but likely to be Sunday 30th.

Click here for the church website: https://www.stgilesonline.org

and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stgilesinthefields/

Click here for the Prayer Book Society which lists the event: https://www.pbs.org.uk/pbs-events-page/