Is it time to celebrate our Monarchy on Oak Apple Day?
Each week, I receive hundreds of letters and messages, many from constituents. Most seek assistance, which I am always glad to give, but occasionally I am sent a particularly fascinating missive which raises a matter few, if any, others have mentioned.
So it was when Dom Dixey, a young student at Durham University, contacted me - out of the blue - about a time honoured, though much neglected, aspect of our island story.
Dom is keen for the United Kingdom to renew the national celebration of ‘Oak Apple Day’, designed to mark the restoration of Monarchy in Great Britain and first celebrated on 29th May 1661.
The charming name of the event was inspired by the escape of Charles II, who managed to evade capture following the Royalist defeat at the battle of Worcester by hiding in an oak tree. Which, by the way, is why so many pubs around England bear the name ‘The Royal Oak.’
This moment in our particular national story would make for an exciting lesson in any school; typifying our commitment to embrace through learning our national history, life, and literature.
Since our nation has enjoyed freedom and relative prosperity for so long, it is easy to take for granted the importance of enduring institutions, without which societies could not flourish. Constitutional Monarchy is the most effective system of governance in existence. Its demonstrable history as a guarantor of Parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law is unrivalled, and remains an inspiring source of national pride and identity in many countries around the world.
Charles II, amongst the greatest monarchs, was a passionate patron of the arts and sciences. His many contributions to the field included his support for Royal Society, a scientific group whose early members included Robert Hooke, Robert Boyle and Lincolnshire’s Sir Isaac Newton. In addition, he founded the Royal Observatory and was the personal patron of Sir Christopher Wren.
The restoration of the Monarchy marked the end of Puritan zealotry, epitomised by its dull, extreme distaste for the ornate, the decorative, and almost anything resembling fun (including the merriness of Christmas!) In a delightful contrast to puritanism, the ‘merry monarchy’ brightened the lives of those in court and was welcomed by people of every class across the nation.
Sadly, as history repeats itself, we face again brutalist neo-puritanical attempts to undermine the quirks of British character, with quips, jokes, conversation, and debate sanitised by the politically correct zealots.
In times of political uncertainty, we should remain grateful for what is consistent and stable. Having existed in one form or another for around 1,000 years – including through the harrowing wars of the last century – our Monarchy is the ultimate cornerstone of our stability – safeguarding our liberty as the guiding light for the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.
Marking Oak Apple Day with a national holiday would be more than simply another day off work. It would be a time to reflect on our fascinating past, whilst remaining grateful for what our constitutional monarchy means now.
