Page 18 - Oundle Life November 2023

The tree, and later the stone, might also have acted as boundary or route markers, but it’s highly unlikely that a mere route marker would later be commemorated in stone. So, perhaps the most fantastical story about the Bocase tree is true.
That story links the tree to England’s most famous outlaw, Robin Hood. Some vaguely claim the hollow tree was a favoured hiding place of the famous outlaw, but there is a
more specific and detailed local tradition. It holds that, while passing through Brigstock, Robin Hood attended St Andrew’s Church
to pray on St Mary’s Day (August 15th). He
was supposedly betrayed by the priest and, on leaving the church, Hood and a small band of his merry men were ambushed by Sir Ralph Neville and his entourage, and a fight broke out.
According to the legend, Hood acted as a decoy to allow his men to escape and threw
his bow and arrows into the Bocase tree as
he passed it, the better to pass himself off as
an innocent, non-fighting man. In true Hood mythology style, the priest who betrayed Robin was said to have been killed by a stray arrow in the encounter.
In 1987 an oak tree was planted near the spot of the original Bocase tree, but whether it will ever spawn legends like these remains to be seen.
*The Bocase stone stands near Harry’s Park, Old Dry Lane, just north of Brigstock.
Stuart Barker is a professional writer and author. He has a keen interest in local history and likes nothing better than riding round Northants visiting historical sites on his motorcycle.
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