(Vol. ii., p. 407.)
The inquiry of STEPHEN into the origin of "this delightful name,"
applied to some fine old oak trees in different parts of the country,
has not elicited one answer, nor an additional note of other trees so
designated. Oaks are not the only trees so honoured; for I remember
reading of a "gospel _elm_," but where situated I do not recollect. Had
your valuable publication been then in existence, I should most probably
have made a note of it. It would be desirable to elucidate this
interesting subject; and if your correspondents would send you a note of
such as may be in their neighbourhoods, with the traditions attached to
them, much curious and interesting information would be accumulated; and
it is possible that some approximation to their date and origin might be
arrived at. The Rev. A. G. H. Hollingsworth, in his _History of
Stowmarket_, gives an account of a very fine one still remaining in the
park of Polstead Hall, Essex, the seat of Charles Tyrell, Esq.:
"It stands (he writes) almost in front of the house, at a distance
of about 150 yards, and close to the adjoining early Norman
church. It rises like a small feudal tower out of the green field,
to the height of twenty feet, and still possesses vigorous remains
of the three enormous stems into which it was divided above. This
earth-born giant is forty-three feet in circumference four feet
from the ground, and the base slopes gradually outwards as the
sides bury themselves in the earth, giving one the idea of a
skilful architect's hand having systematically planted an enormous
foundation for that stupendous mass of wood, with which 1000 or
1500 years must have loaded its shoulders. It is hollow within,
and could seat eight or ten persons. The bark is generally gone,
except in one or two places, where it winds like a stream of rough
verdure to supply the branches, which still drop their acorns into
your face as you gaze upwards, and are thus reminded of the
passing seasons. Its wood is seared, knotted, and in some places
looks like a piece of sculpture smoothed and wrought by hand into
waving channels. By its side, and at a distance of some eight
feet, is a tall oak of eighty years' growth,--a scion, no doubt,
of such a mighty tree. But it looks puerile, and a child, when
compared with its parent. And some idea may be formed of this,
perhaps one of the last fast departing memorials of Roman and
Saxon times, when on comparison it would take twenty or more such
trunks of a hundred years' growth, to make up the bulk of the
glorious size of this mighty pillar, thus erected by the hand of
nature to the memory of past generations."
Mr. Hollingsworth appears to consider them relics of Druidism:
"When Christianity was first introduced into England, it was
customary for the missionaries to select some one known gigantic
tree as their place of assemblage. These leafy tabernacles were
generally oaks of vast size and stature. Nor is it at all unlikely
that some of them were thus chosen because from their gigantic
bosoms the sacred mistletoe of the Druids had been cut, and they
were consecrated by superstitious veneration in the minds of the
people as sacred places. Nor were they inappropriate pulpits for
the apostolic bishops and priests, who thus, in making their
shades vocal with the gospel words, proclaimed by their voice and
presence the victory of Christ over darkness and idolatry."