OAKS IX SCOTLAND. 



217 



Oak/' measures 26 feet in circumference at 4 feet from the 

 ground. '"'The Great Oak" of Thorpemarket, still in healthy 

 vigour, but evincing great age, girths at 1 foot from the ground 

 22 feet, and has a bole 42 feet in length, and is 70 feet in 

 height. In Kent, " the Majesty Oak," at Fredville, girths 28 

 feet 6 inches at 8 feet above ground. In Nottinghamshire, 

 " the ParHament Oak " in Clipstone Park, is 28 feet 6 inches in 

 girth at 4 feet from the ground. Under this tree, in 1290, 

 Edward I. held a parliament, whence its name is derived. 

 " The Shelton Oak," near Shrewsbury, still exists, and is fully 

 26 feet in girth at 5 feet from the ground. This tree is cele- 

 brated from its having been climbed by Owen Glendower on 

 21st June 1403. that he midit reconnoitre the battle of Shrews- 

 bury on his arrival with supports. In Bagot's Park, Stafford- 

 shire, is a majestic oak tree, 28 feet in girth at 5 feet from the 

 ground. The celebrated " Cowthorpe Oak " in Yorkshire, said 

 to be the largest tree in England, still lingers on in hoary 

 grandeur. Near the ground the stump girths no less than 78 

 feet, while it is 48 feet in girth at 3 feet above ground. It is 

 quite hollow — in fact a mere shell, uncared for, and tenanted 

 by cattle in their quest for shade or shelter. Eighty-four 

 persons are stated on one occasion to have stood within its 

 hollow trunk, and it could have accommodated a considerable 

 number more. Many fine majestic oaks still thrive at Chats- 

 worth, in Derbyshire, and at Lyme Hall, in Cheshire. These 

 are relics of the old High Peak forest. Some of the measure- 

 ments made by us in 1876 were as follows: — 



These data may be interesting, as the trees last referred to 

 do not ap])ear to have been hitherto recorded. 



Ill conclusion, we would merely refer those interested in 

 comparing the other remarkable oaks in England with those we 

 have herein recorded in Scotland, to the interesting and valuable 

 pages of the Amoemtatcs qucrncr of the late Professor Purnet, 

 in which the historical facts, legends, and traditions connected 

 with the liistory of individual oaks of ancient date are fully given. 



