Boscobel House and King Charles 11 (Boscobel House)

Member Name: Flindy

Product:	Boscobel House
Date:	26/03/01 (182 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nice couple of hours out, plus historical interest

Disadvantages: Disabled may not get to all of the house

Boscobel House is located 8 miles North West of Wolverhampton, just inside Shropshire. It is a modest 17th century house which was originally built as a timber framed hunting lodge.

After the defeat of Charles11 and his Scottish army at the Battle of Worcester in 1651, Charles and several friends escaped. One can only imagine the fate of the soldiers left behind. They made their way to Boscobel House, which was owned by The Penderel family, supporters of Charles. In hot pursuit were Cromwell’s troops, and almost as soon as Charles arrived, he was forced to seek refuge in a large oak tree, where he must have spent a most uncomfortable day! The whole area was densely wooded at that time, unlike today where most of it is arable farmland.

That evening, when it was safe for Charles to descend from his hiding place, he was given a meal and expressed a wish to spend the night in the house, rather than go back to the tree.
In the morning he left, and continued on his way to France, seeking refuge and assistance from loyal supporters along the way.

You can see the priest hole where the future king hid, it is very small, and I imagine he would have got little rest there. It is situated under the floor of the cheese room, and the smell from the ripe cheeses must have helped to mask the smell of the human beings who were forced to hide there during that period, sometimes for days on end! Imagine being in a really confined space and having to perform all your bodily functions there too.

The nursery rhyme “Goosey Goosey Gander” originated from those days during the Civil War. It is when you read the lines - “Then I met an old man who wouldn’t say his prayers, I took him by the left leg and threw him down the stairs”, you realise that this is what the troops would do, go into peoples houses and try to get them to affirm an allegiance to the new order. Those who did not capitulate suffered their
inevitable fate.

The house was changed over the years and the appearance inside is mainly 19th century, having been altered over the years, but parts of it are as the original. The house is in a pleasant rural setting, off the beaten track, and is now in the hands of English Heritage, who do guided tours roughly every hour or so. It has very pretty gardens too, tearooms and a gift shop.

There are various events held at Boscobel House, Civil War re-enactments and 17th century musical events, if you plan to visit it is wise to check with English Heritage that no events are planned for your chosen day. Of course, with the present outbreak of Foot and Mouth, these historical houses and places of interest may well be closed for the duration. The tree in which Charles hid - The Royal Oak, was destroyed mainly by souvenir hunters, and another oak, “Son of Oak” was planted at the spot. Unfortunately in last year’s gales, the tree was badly damaged. However, a couple of weeks ago, a sapling from “Son of Oak” was planted by Prince Charles, let us hope it flourishes for a couple of hundred years!

Many Public Houses and Inns bear the name The Royal Oak, it is easy to see where this name originated.

There is some disabled access on ground floor level, also to the tea rooms and shop. Price per adult £4.30, children £2.20 and concessions £3.30.

Before planning a visit check that it is open, in the light of the Foot and Mouth outbreak.

Web site for English Heritage – www.english-heritage.org.uk

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