famed from the tradition that Owen Glendower, in 1403, ascended its
branches to ascertain the event of the Battle of Shrewsbury, a
circumstance not unlikely when it is considered that the country was
probably more open at that time than at present.
This champion of Welsh independence, it has been already shown, assembled
his forces at Oswestry, from whence, according to Holinshed, he sent off
only his first division, consisting of 4000 men, who behaved with spirit
in the day of action. The Welsh historians, however, have censured his
conduct on this occasion, and blame him for what it appears from some
cause he was unable to effect, viz. in neglecting to attack Henry after
the battle, when the royal forces had sustained a severe loss and were
overcome with fatigue, and when his own followers and the remainder of
the northern troops would have formed an army nearly double that of the
king’s.
There are documents to prove that this oak was “_a great tree_” within
140 years after the Battle of Shrewsbury, and was an object of remark to
old people long before. It is now a chronicle to the eye of the passing
traveller, and to those who delight to be carried back into the depth of
antiquity. Long may it be preserved from injury, and viewed as the
natural historical monument of our vicinity; for Time has truly
Hollowed in its trunk
A tomb for centuries; and buried there
The epochs of the rise and fall of states,
The fading generations of the world,
The memory of man.
According to a recent measurement, the tree is 41½ feet in height; the
girth at the base is 44¼ feet, and at eight feet from the ground 27¼
feet.
The interior is hollow, consisting of little more than a shell of bark,
forming an alcove capable of holding a dozen individuals; and
notwithstanding the branches of this aged tree have borne the blast of
many a wintry storm, still it may be said—
The Spring
Finds thee not less alive to her sweet force
Than the young upstarts of the neighbouring woods,
So much thy juniors, who their birth received
Half a millennium since the date of thine.