[Illustration: CHARLES AND CARELESS HIDING IN THE OAK.] BOSCOBEL OR THE ROYAL OAK. A TALE OF THE YEAR 1651. BY WILLIAM HARRISON AINSWORTH. AUTHOR OF "THE TOWER OF LONDON," &c. ILLUSTRATED. In that fair part where the rich Salop gains An ample view o'er all the Western plains, A grove appears which BOSCOBEL they name, Not known to maps; a grove of scanty fame. And yet henceforth no celebrated shade Of all the British groves shall be more glorious made. COWLEY'S _Sylva_. Book VI. 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 of Llandaff describes King Charles the Second's Wanderings after the Battle of Worcester "as being by far the most romantic piece of English history we possess." I have always entertained the same opinion, and after reading the "Boscobel Tracts," so admirably edited by Mr. Hughes, I resolved to write a story on the subject, which should comprehend the principal incidents described in the various narratives of the King's adventures; but not having at that time visited any of the hiding-places, I deferred my design, and possibly might never have executed it, had I not seen a series of Views depicting most graphically the actual state of the different places visited by Charles, and privately published by Mr. Frederick Manning, of Leamington. Stimulated by these remarkable sketches, I at once commenced my long-delayed Tale. An enthusiast on the subject, Mr. Manning has collected all the numerous editions of the "Boscobel Tracts," and has printed a list of them, which is exceedingly curious. The collection is probably unique. His nephew, Mr. John E. Anderdon, whose death occurred while this work was in the press, was also an enthusiastic collector of all matters relating to Boscobel and the King's escapes, and from both these gentlemen I have derived much valuable assistance[1]. I am under equal obligations to my excellent friend, Mr. Parke, of the Deanery, Wolverhampton, who has furnished me with many curious tracts, prints, plans, and privately printed books relating to Boscobel, Brewood, and Chillington. I shall always retain a most agreeable recollection of a visit paid to Chillington in company with Mr. Parke and the Hon. Charles Wrottesley, and of our hearty reception by the hospitable Squire. Among the various works relating to Boscobel that have come under my notice is a charming little volume written by the Rev. George Dodd, Curate of Doddington, Salop, the village where Boscobel is situated, who has ascertained all the facts connected with the story.