Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Saturday, 29 May 2021

Celebrating Oak Apple Day


Today is Oak Apple Day, the celebration of the Restoration in 1660 of King Charles II.

Last year in Oak Apple Day  I argued for its revival as a genuinely popular and genuinely patriotic celebration and linked to ideas about why that should indeed be.

This year I will link to an a splendidly illustrated article about the 2017-18 Royal Collection exhibition Charles II: Art and Power which opens up the rich and discerning Court culture of the Caroline age. It has images of many of the spectacular works of art acquired or commissioned by the King and is also accompanied by contemporary engravings. These include Hollar’s depiction of the scene inside Westminster Abbey at the coronation of King Charles II on April 23rd 1661, 360 years ago. This excellent article, which has pictures of not few unfamiliar items from the Royal Collection, can be seen at Laura’s London: New Exhibition Report – Charles II: Art and Power at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace

A Happy Oak Apple Day to all my readers.


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