Carrying on from my last post.
When we reached Boscobel House it was time for a late lunch before we explored the house and grounds. We had sandwiches served with a small side salad in the barn before moving on to the garden. As rain was forecast we decided to visit the outside areas first.
Boscobel House is a farmhouse, at one time turned hunting lodge, with a connection to national history and turbulent times. It was from here in 1651 that Charles II escaped to France after being defeated by Cromwell's troops at the battle of Worcester. He found safety for a while in the house which was owned by the Giffard family from nearby Whiteladies Priory. The house was lived in and cared for by the Penderel brothers. The first night of his stay, disguised as a countryman, he and his companion Major William Careless hid in an oak tree to escape being captured by Parliamentarian soldiers. The second night he hid in the priest's hole until the Penderel brothers could move him to nearby Moseley Old Hall, from there disguised as the servant of a local gentlewoman called Jane Lane he managed to get to Shoreham on Sea and from there to France. Here is a -link- to more information.
From the garden we wandered into the meadow to walk to the Oak Tree, it's not the original tree that sheltered a king as parliamentarian troops scoured the woods below but a descendant of the original.
From 1812 until 1888 the house and estate, including nearby Whiteladies - now a ruin and not visited this time - was owned by the Evans sisters. Their main home was Darley Abbey House near Derby but they did visit Boscobel for a month each year and being fascinated with the house's history, encouraged tourists to visit the house and the Royal Oak. Inside the house is now presented as a Victorian residence with a romanticised view of the 17th century.
The first thing you do on entry is to pick up a candlestick. In each room is a pile of books, if you place the candle on top of the books an animated figure appears.
Figures appear from the 17th century in a 19th century setting.
The downstairs living area was very dark so photographs were impossible. It's kept so dark to protect some of the objects in the room and in particular a very special contemporary account of the escape. Upstairs there are two open bedrooms and an attic area. Also the priest's hole where Charles II may have hidden. More photos below.
