Why no Oak Apple Day?

Question

I have been reading about the Civil Wars and, when Charles II re-entered his Parliament and saved us from the tyranny of the Protectorate, a national holiday was made. Every 29th of May people could wander around with oak apple wreaths on and stuff. This holiday was removed sometime in the 1800s.

So, why? I mean, I know no one will want to run around wearing mutated oak leaves, but why not a day off or something. It seems an important part of our history and a thing we should be thankful for.

Answer 1

any excuse for a holiday and a booze up

Answer 2

Here's an interesting page on it- http://www.efestivals.co.uk/forums/blog/...

Have a look around on the web- Wikidpedia says it was abolished in 1859, but it doesn't say why.

Some bits of it still remain- Chelsea pensioners celebrate it by drinking beer and eating plum pudding, I can't remember where it is, but there is a certain church in the UK with a statue of Charles II, and they lay a wreath of oak leaves there every year on Oak Apple Day. Interesting stuff- and it may have pagan roots to it... I just wonder what made 1859 so special that they decided to abolish a 200 year old festival...

Here's another article on it from a Worcester website- apparently, if you don't wear oak leaves on Oak Apple Day, you are fair game for being whipped with a stinging nettle and pinched on the bottom... http://archive.worcesternews.co.uk/2007/...

Answer 3

An interesting question. Oak apple Day was so called because King Charles II hid up an oak tree while fleeing the Parliamentarians.He was a very popular king and the majority of the people welcomed him with open arms after the strict and miserable regime of the "roundheads" who frowned upon revelry and merrymaking such as dancing round the maypole on Mayday.In fact Samuel Pepys wrote in his famous Diary,"The Roundheads banned bear bating, not because it gave pain to the bear but because it gave pleasure to the people."

              The Chelsea Pensioners celebrate the day because it was King Charles II who built The Royal Hospital, Chelsea for retired soldiers who had fallen on hard times.

              Why it is no longer celebrated I have no idea.