BOSCOBEL
OR
THE ROYAL OAK.
A TALE OF THE YEAR 1651.
BY
WILLIAM HARRISON AINSWORTH.
AUTHOR OF "THE TOWER OF LONDON," &c.
ILLUSTRATED.
LONDON
GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS, Limited
Broadway, Ludgate Hill
GLASGOW, MANCHESTER, AND NEW YORK
INSCRIBED
TO THE MEMORY OF MY OLD FRIEND,
JOHN HUGHES, Esq.,
OF
DONNINGTON HOUSE, BERKS,
EDITOR OF
The "Boscobel Tracts,"
SON OF
MRS. HUGHES, OF KINGSTON LISLE,
FATHER OF
THOMAS HUGHES, M.P.
PREFACE.
In his letter to Mr. Hughes, the then Bishop ofLlandaff describes King Charles the Second's Wanderings after the Battleof Worcester "as being by far the most romantic piece of Englishhistory we possess."
I have always entertained the same opinion, and after readingthe "Boscobel Tracts," so admirably edited by Mr. Hughes, Iresolved to write a story on the subject, which should comprehendthe principal incidents described in the various narrativesof the King's adventures; but not having at that time visited anyof the hiding-places, I deferred my design, and possibly mightnever have executed it, had I not seen a series of Views depictingmost graphically the actual state of the different placesvisited by Charles, and privately published by Mr. FrederickManning, of Leamington.
Stimulated by these remarkable sketches, I at once commencedmy long-delayed Tale.
An enthusiast on the subject, Mr. Manning has collected allthe numerous editions of the "Boscobel Tracts," and has printeda list of them, which is exceedingly curious. The collection isprobably unique. His nephew, Mr. John E. Anderdon, whosedeath occurred while this work was in the press, was also anenthusiastic collector of all matters relating to Boscobel and theKing's escapes, and from both these gentlemen I have derivedmuch valuable assistance[1].
I am under equal obligations to my excellent friend, Mr.Parke, of the Deanery, Wolverhampton, who has furnished mewith many curious tracts, prints, plans, and privately printedbooks relating to Boscobel, Brewood, and Chillington. I shallalways retain a most agreeable recollection o