Robin Hood's Tree, Edwinstowe
Above: A postcard of Robin Hood's Tree dated 1957, when the dubious wisdom of climbing on or even inside the tree was not yet discouraged. People today don't realise that Robin Hood's Tree, the Major Oak, stands on an area of Sherwood Forest once owned and tended to by Thoresby Estate. The original irons which supported the branches were constructed in Thoresby Estate's blacksmith shop by a local man. (See photo below, c.1903. The man in the bowler hat is the 4th Eeal Manvers).
Above: In 1990's the tree was supported by unattractive wooden supports.
Robin Hood's tree was named the Major Oak after the archaeologist Major Hayman Rooke, who lived in Mansfield Woodhouse during the 1780's. It was his favourite tree. During the 19th Century the tree was commonly referred to as the Cockpen Tree because game birds in wicker baskets were placed inside the hollow interior before being made to fight in a cock pen below its branches.
Above: August 31st, 2005. A modern theory as to why Robin Hood's tree is so large speculates that it started life as three separate oaks, which merged together as one. This might explain why the hollow nature of the tree is entirely different to similar oaks whose centres were burnt out by lightning.
Above: The path leading to Robin Hood's Tree, the Major Oak. (Winter 2006). Each side of the path are the dark mysterious shapes of ancient oaks. Below: The Major Oak, June 2020, looking beautiful during "lockdown" as the RSVP let the grass grow.
To see more about Robin Hood's Tree, the Major oak, see THIS LINK.
To see video of Robin Hood's Tree, the Major Oak, click on THIS LINK.
For other famous Oak trees in Sherwood Forest see THIS LINK.
To see more about Robin Hood's Tree, the Major oak, see THIS LINK.
To see video of Robin Hood's Tree, the Major Oak, click on THIS LINK.
For other famous Oak trees in Sherwood Forest see THIS LINK.
Labels: Earl Manvers, Edwinstowe, Major Oak, Robin Hood, Robin Hood's Tree, Sherwood Forest, Thoresby
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Thoresby Hall Hotel, Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park are recommended attractions for a day trip or short vacation. The
Dukeries area is of keen historic interest. NOTE: Apart from public domain postcards and brochures ALL photographs herein are copyright Ian Gordon Craig, exclusive permission granted to Thoresby Estate for their use elsewhere.
Thoresby Hall as photographed Summer 2009, now a successful Warners Hotel.
Robert Pierrepont (1584 - 1643), 1st Earl of Kingston upon Hull, bought Thoresby for his second son William.
Sydney William Herbert Pierrepont (1825 - 1900), 3rd Earl Manvers, built the present Thoresby Hall, St John's Church,
Perlethorpe School, and generally shaped Thoresby Estate as it looks today.
The 4th Earl Manvers (Died 1926).
Countess Manvers (d.1984). Examples of her paintings are always on show at Thoresby Gallery.
ABOVE: The statue of Robin Hood in the courtyard at Thoresby Hall, by Tussaud - Birt, is showing its age, but remains one of
my favourites. The Art Gallery, crafts shops, and restaurant within that courtyard are recommended.
Carved oak fireplace in the Thoresby Hall library with its depiction of the Major Oak (Robin Hood's Tree), and the screen
featuring the Cromwell family. Oliver Cromwell is known to have stayed in Thoresby Hall before the English Civil War.
The Green Bridge sited near the edge of the cricket pavilion in front of Thoresby Hall across which the Duke's carriage would take him to Perlethorpe Village.
The view along Thoresby Lake towards Budby. Are these bricks at the water's edge remnants from the original Thoresby
Hall?
The River Meden winds its way from 7 Ton Bridge near Thoresby Hall towards Perlethorpe Village.
Budby Castle, once known as William Castle, and the River Meden winding towards Thoresby Lake under the remains of
Pierrepont Bridge, once described as classical and elegant.
Children's exercise book from the school, 1958.
Perlethorpe Church graveyard, where the original chapel once stood. The covered gate was a later addition in memorium to
the men of Budby and Thoresby who fell in World War 1.
Robin Hood's Tree, the Major Oak, was once under the care and supervision of Thoresby Estate. Responsibility for its
upkeep changed to Nottingham City Council c.1969. Here it is pictured in in Spring, Autumn, and Winter.
2 Comments:
Robin Hood's tree the major oak was also once referred to as the Queen Oak.
Sherwood Forest, the Dukeries, Thoresby park, history.
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