John Bunyan's Tree - Harlington, Bedfordshire, UK
Posted by: 
Dragontree
N 51° 58.210 W 000° 28.704
30U E 673210 N 5760723
It was from this oak tree that John Bunyan sought religious freedom by preaching from within its hollow trunk to the people. It was necessary to preach from this spot to avoid persecution for his beliefs.
Waymark Code: WMBHKF
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/23/2011
Views: 8
John Bunyan was a figure of immense, religious importance and lived between 1628 - 1688. When he began preaching his Puritan beliefs he was arrested and taken to gaol.
This ancient oak tree had an ideal hollow trunk forming a natural pulpit. There are foot holds fixed to the trunk, still visible today, which were added in the 1950s. It could be climbed easily and the wide hollow girth meant John Bunyan could be heard readily as it acted as a natural soundboard. The choice of this tree meant he was away from the authorities and people could come to him to hear him preach. With the ground sloping naturally it was an ideal spot to be seen and heard from, as can be seen today as you approach across the field. The tree still forms an impressive sight despite wear and tear.
He was the author of the well known book 'Pilgrim's Progress' and was born in Elstow, Bedfordshire. There are items in museums, Elstow Moot Hall, a Pilgrim's Way - public long distance footpath, John Bunyan Church, a stone to show when he was in gaol and various memorials throughout the county and beyond.
John Bunyan was brought up to be a tinker like his father but after his mother died he enlisted in the army. After the army was disbanded he married and began to become interested in religion, being a Puritan. Taken with the church he began preaching and was very popular. However, as he was unlicensed to preach he was arrested and spent between 1661 and 1672 in prison. It was inside where he wrote and published several books and his autobiography.
When he was released he was Minister of Bedford but shortly after he was arrested and imprisoned again during the winter of 1675-6. It was then that he compiled 'Pilgrim's Progress'. In 1688 he travelled to London and died there being buried in Bunhill Fields.
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