Bosco's Basket

What's in a name?

Boscobel Prince

As you may or may not know, corgis like myself are often given monarchist names, since the queen is so very fond of us. The story of my name is wrapped up in the story of Charles II.

In 1642, Charles I began fighting the First Civil War in England. Unfortunately, in 1649 he was executed by his enemies.

At the age of only 18, Charles II was proclaimed king of Scots and England. He was an exile from England, which was a republic under the Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell. Charles continued his father's fight for England with the support of his Scottish subjects.

In 1652, Charles II and one of his courtiers, Major Careless, evaded capture after the defeat of the Royalist army at the battle of Worcester, spending twenty-four hours hiding in an oak tree, in the grounds of Boscobel House near Shifnal, Shropshire. Charles eventually managed to escape to France, disguised as one of his subjects. In 1660 Charles II was able to return to his kingdom and begin his reign.

May 29, the birthday of Charles II and the day when he entered London at the Restoration, was commanded by Act of Parliament in 1664 to be observed as a day of thanksgiving, 'Oak Apple Day'. A special service was inserted in the Book of Common Prayer and people wore sprigs of oak with gilded oak-apples on that day.

A bit of trivia is that Jan 31st is the feast day of St. John Bosco, the patron saint of editors.

There you have it! Thank you very much to my sources:

On to my gallery.