An oak apple or gall from an oak tree near our home. Galls are produced in oak buds by wasps.
Oak Apple Day is a former public holiday celebrated in England to commemorate the restoration of the English monarchy 350 years ago on 29 May 1660 following the English civil war, in reference to the occasion after the Battle of Worcester in September 1651, when the future Charles II escaped the Roundhead army by hiding in an oak tree. (Read more here).
To show their support, people wore sprigs of oak leaves or a sprig with an oak apple on. Children would challenge each other to show their oak sprigs or apples, and those not wearing one would face some form of punishment. This could be a pinch on the bum or a nettle sting, hence the day also being known as Pinch-Bum Day or Nettle Day.
"The wise boy wore his oak leaves, armed himselves (sic) with a stinging nettle and carried a few dock leaves for first aid just in case"
Bibliography of Nottinghamshire Folk Plays & Related Customs
And hence why my children find the whole idea of this day very appealing!!
So we have a day of being threatened with nettles and pinches here! Where are those dock leaves!!
