Oak leaf wreath on the head of the Charles II stature that is positioned at on the front portico of All Saints, Northampon
The English Civil War (1642 to 1649) was fought between the royalist forces loyal to King Charles I and the Parliamentarians led by Oliver Cromwell. The Royalists were defeated at the Battle of Naseby in 1645 and Charles I was captured and executed on 30 January 1649. Britain was declared a republic, but after Cromwell’s death in 1658 the monarchy was finally restored, and Charles II became king on 29 May 1660.
Royal Oak Day or Oak Apple Day was a public holiday celebrated in England on the 29 May to commemorate the restoration of the English monarchy in May 1660. Not only does the day commemorate the restoration of the King to the throne, but it also honours his quick wit as he escaped soldiers by seeking refuge in an oak tree. High up on the portico parapet of All Saints' Church, Northampton, is the statue of King Charles II, who is garlanded with an oak leaf wreath at noon every Oak Apple Day.
King Charles has a specific connection to Northampton as he donated 1000 tons of timber to the town after it was devastated by the Great Fire on 20 September 1675. Seven hundred houses were destroyed out of 840. The statue of Charles II by John Hunt was erected on the portico parapet of All Saints' Church in 1712 in thanksgiving for his part in the rebuilding of the church.
Number 57 of the objects selected for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects exhibition 2025.
© NMAG
© J Lowther
©
NMAG
©
NMAG
©
NMAG
