| Where: | Worcester at The Commandery |
| When: | Spring Bank Holiday Monday |
| Time: | 10am - 4 pm |
Worcester was known as The Faithful City for its allegiance to the Stuart cause, and was the setting for the last battle of the civil war before Charles II fled to exile on the continent in 1651. After the battle, Charles famously hid in an oak tree to evade capture, and when he returned to the throne amidst much rejoicing in 1660, his supporters wore oak sprigs to remember his deliverance. The date of Charles’ entry into London after the restoration was 29th of May, which was also the King’s birthday, and it became known as Oak Apple Day. On Spring Bank Holiday, which always falls near the anniversary, the Commandery hosts some special events to remember Charles’ connections to Worcester. The Commandery is an ancient building which was the Royalist headquarters at the time of the battle. Entertainments on offer may include Morris Dancing, seventeenth century music, drama telling the story of Charles’ escape, living history, battle field tours, talks and activities for children. Some events are over the whole weekend, but the main day is the Bank Holiday Monday- it’s a fairly small-scale event so if you want a big parade, go to the anniversary of the battle in September (see separate article). Look out for the cabinet where there’s a stool made out of the original oak that the Merry Monarch hid in! Another Worcester tradition associated with Oak Apple Day was the decoration of the Guildhall gates with oak boughs, but that only happens occasionally.
Helpful Hints
In 2024 it should take place on Monday 27th May.
Click here for the Museums website (which includes the Commandery) :https://www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk
Click here for the Commandery Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/commandery
