Prince Charles II, the future King of England, escaped from the Roundheads (Parliamentarian forces) after the Battle of Worcester on September 3, 1651. The battle was a decisive victory for the Roundheads, and Charles II was forced to flee for his life.

Charles II disguised himself as a peasant and fled Worcester with a few trusted companions. They rode for several days, eventually reaching the Boscobel Oak, a large oak tree in Boscobel Wood, Shropshire. The tree provided Charles II with a hiding place while Parliamentarian soldiers searched the area.

The soldiers eventually gave up their search and Charles II was able to continue his escape. He was sheltered by a group of Catholic recusants, including the Penderel brothers, who helped him to travel to France. Charles II eventually returned to England in 1660 and was restored to the throne.