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Traditions
Oak Sprigs are traditionally worn on Royal Oak Day and Oak branches can be found placed around statues of Charles II on this day. Plum Pudding washed down with a Royal Oak Ale, especially in a Royal Oak Inn, is traditional in England on this day. Enjoying art and poetry, dances and songs and theatre are also traditional ways to celebrate, and there is a tradition of beautiful Pottery decorated with the Royal Oak. The route Charles II took in his escape is known as Monarch's Way. It is now a popular long distance walk around the 29th May (but is not yet connected to the London underground).
In the Diary of John Evelyn under the date of May 29th, 1665, is the following statement: — "This was the first anniversary appointed by Act of Parliament to be observed as a day of General Thanksgiving for the miraculous restoration of His Majesty: our vicar preaching on Psalm cxviii., 24, requiring us to be thankful and rejoice, as indeed we had cause". This commemorative prayer and thus our national Royal Oak holiday was removed from the Prayer Book in 1859.
Robur Carolinum was a constellation created by English astronomer Edmund Halley in 1679 in honor of Charles II.
In fact Charles II's Restoration was completed on St. George's Day, at his English Coronation in 1661.
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