The Parliament Oak - Exceptional Trees on Waymarking.com

According to "Arboretum et fruticetum Britannicum; or, The trees and shrubs of Britain" by John Claudius Loudon (1838), the tree derives its name from a parliament being held beneath it by Edward I in 1290. The girth of the tree was 28 feet 6 inches at the time of Loudon. Other sources claim that King John took counsel with his advisers under the oak earlier in the 13th Century.

Whatever the truth, it is probably the oldest tree in Sherwood Forest. It was part of the original boundary of Clipstone Royal Hunting Park, which in 1180 was enclosed by a fence over 7 miles long. The fence included many large oaks in its structure. More details in the website reference below.

Two parking spaces are available just off the main road, at the side of the oak. There is also an information board.

Genus/Species: Pedunculate Oak Height: 28 Girth: 10 Method of obtaining height: Reliable source Method of obtaining girth: Arm reaching Location type: Other public property Age: 1200 Historical significance: It has been stated, with some probability of truth, that King John, while hunting in the forest, was informed by a messenger of a revolt of the Welsh, and of an insurrection in the north of England; that he hastily summoned a parliament to meet under this tree, and that it owes its name to that incident. Another account connects it with Edward I., who, when on his way to Scotland, in 1290, summoned a parliament to meet at Clipstone. The proceedings opened on St. Michael's Day, but there is no authority for stating that any ceremonial assembly took place here, although the name may have been given to the oak in consequence of some informal meeting under its branches. Website reference: [Web Link] Walk time: 1 Planter: Not listed Parking coordinates: Not Listed Photograpy coordinates: Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
A closeup picture of your GPS receiver in your hand, with the tree in the background, is required. If the tree is on private property, this closeup photograph with the tree in the background may be taken from the nearest public vantage point without actually going to the tree.
The required photograph does not need to show the entire tree, but the individual tree must be recognizable.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   10/09/2011 angellica visited it