The historic oak tree at Boscobel House in England has been badly damaged in Sunday night's storms. It's not known yet whether the remains will survive.

This is the the tree where King Charles II hid from the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War, shortly before escaping to Bentley Hall (where I lived around the corner from for many years, incidentally). It's commemorated all over the country by the pub name, The Royal Oak.

Preparations were under way for the 350th anniversary which is due soon (I can't remember when, to my shame!). They have just one sapling from the old tree, which might have to serve instead.

Steve