Geograph - photograph every grid square

The sign is second in popularity to the Red Lion. Charles II, together with his aide Colonel Carless, hid in the Boscobel Oak, near Shifnal, in order to escape from the Roundhead soldiers who were pursuing him. Charles had suffered defeat at the Battle of Worcester, 1651. After the Restoration of Charles II to the throne it was declared that 29th May, the king's birthday should be celebrated as Royal Oak Day as an act of thanksgiving.

The popularity of the pub sign may be attributed to genuine rejoicing that the monarchy had been restored, but it also comments on the appeal of particular human incidents, over the great events that shaped our history.