Meet Queen Elizabeth’s oak from Greenwich Park, London. It was planted in the 12th century and lived for almost 800 years, probably knowing Elizabeth I and Henry VIII! It died in the late 19th but till 1991 it had been supported by a strong growth of ivy when the trunk finally collapsed.
Знакомьтесь – это Дуб Королевы Елизаветы в парке Гринвич в Лондоне. Посажен он был в 12-ом веке и прожил почти 800 лет, и возможно знал Елизавету Первую и Генриха Восьмого. Умер он в конце 19-го века, но густо разросшийся плющ продолжал поддерживать его ствол еще до 1991 года, пока тот в конце концов не рухнул.
Not surprisingly in England the oak tree has been a national symbol of strength and survival, holding a special place in people’s hearts. The English ancestors carried acorns for good luck and thought the tree was magical. Nowadays there is an oak on 1987 and 1992 pound coins and ‘The Royal Oak’ is the third most popular pub name in Britain.
Неудивительно, что в Англии дуб как национальный символ силы и жизнеспособности занимает особое место в сердцах людей. Предки англичан носили с собой желуди-талисманы и верили, что дуб обладает колдовскими свойствами. В наши дни дуб изображен на фунтовых монетах 1987 и 1992 годов выпуска, а “Королевский Дуб” – это третье по популярности название пабов в Британии.
The oak is the most common tree in this country. For centuries its sturdy wood has been used in making furniture and ships, frames of buildings and wine barrels, smoking cheeses, hams and fish. It is also one of the most beautiful trees which looks majestic come spring, summer, autumn or winter. “A tree for all seasons and all reasons ” indeed!
Дуб-самое распространенное дерево в Англии. Веками его крепкая древесина используется в мебельном производстве и в кораблестроении, при строительстве зданий и изготовлении винных бочек, для копчения сыров, ветчины и рыбы. И конечно дуб – одно из самых прекрасных деревьев. Он величаво смотрится и весной, и летом, и осенью, и зимой. Вот уж действительно, дуб “зимой и летом пригож, в любом деле хорош!”
Mind you the English are not the only ones who love this magnificent tree. I leave you with the quote from the “War and Peace”. And who knows, maybe the oak which Leo Tolstoy pictured in his timeless novel is still standing proudly somewhere…
Однако не одни только англичане любят это великолепное дерево. Хочу закончить цитатой из “Войны и мира”. И, кто знает, может быть, тот дуб, который Лев Толстой описывает в своем бессмертном романе, все еще где-то гордо стоит…
“The old oak, utterly transformed, draped in a tent of sappy dark green, basked faintly, undulating in the rays of the evening sun. Of the knotted fingers, the gnarled excrescences, the aged grief and mistrust- nothing was to be seen. Through the rough, century-old bark, where there were no twigs, leaves had burst out so sappy, so young, that is was hard to believe that the aged creature had borne them. ” (The translation by Constance Garnett, 1904)
“Старый дуб, весь преображенный, раскинувшись шатром сочной, темной зелени, млел, чуть колыхаясь в лучах вечернего солнца. Ни корявых пальцев, ни болячек, ни старого горя и недоверия – ничего не было видно. Сквозь столетнюю жесткую кору пробились без сучков сочные, молодые листья, так что верить нельзя было, что это старик произвел их”.
Very Good
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Sasha, would you know why the oak was named after Queen Elizabeth who ruled in 16th – 17th centuries, if it was planted in 12th century? Her father Henry VIII was born in Greenwich, if I am not mistaken, but what is the connection? I am just curious, and I love the quote!
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Dear Dolly, thanks to your curiosity I know the answer now!
“This huge oak tree dates back to the 12th century and has a strong link to the Tudor Royal Family. According to legend, King Henry VIII once danced around this oak tree with Anne Boleyn, and Queen Elizabeth I was said to have often taken refreshment whilst relaxing in its shade.”
http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/Queen-Elizabeths-Oak/
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Thank you so much for making an effort to research. So Queen Elizabeth could have conceivably been conceived under that tree? No wonder she liked to relax there – pre-natal memories!
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Very interesting. I have an Oak Tree in my Garden, I planted it in memory of a dear sweet Friend I lost some years ago.
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What a lovely thing to have done Anna. I hope the tree brings you happy memories and peace.
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Dear Sasha,believe it or not, I’ve always admired oak trees, and wherever I travel – I try to find these magnificent trees- just to enjoy them or to have a rest near by. Two years ago Katya and I went to Belokuricha (Altai Region). We were told that deep in the local woods, 3,5 km of walking there was an old-old oak tree(nobody knows its age). His name is A Tree of Love -so we decided to find it! Though it was a hot summer day, absolutely boiling, rather far away from our hotel and … in the woods, anyway – we hit the road! And we found HIM – it was really gorgeous and I was so happy to get to it!!!
Thank you for meeting Queen Elizabeth’s oak!
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Hello Tanechka! So nice to hear from you! What an interesting story and what a lovely addition to my post – thank you so much! Have you got a photo of the old fellow?
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Great blog!! The trees in Greenwich Park are so fun to climb in! Hehe
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Am a bit too old for that – they might put me into an institution…
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Haha you’re never too old!!
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Yes, Sasha, I did read your nice post, and wrote a comment! Thanks again!
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