Royal Oak
The Royal Oak stands on the shores of Chichester Harbour, in the village of Langstone.
Pubs and inns which carry this name are claiming an association with King Charles II. After his father's execution the future king was obliged to flee from England. At one time, when his pursuers were close on his heels, he is said to have hidden in an oak tree. Some folks will tell you that the sign of the oak embossed with the crown indicates a place where the royal feet passed. Others say that in the aftermath of their sovereign's succesful flight his followers showed their support by secret signs such as this one. More probably, they showed their support when it was perfectly safe to do so, after the monarchy was reinstated.
Langstone has more right than many to claim an association with the fugitive monarch. Whilst Charles was secreted at the house of a friend, some six or seven miles inland, his servants came here to seek for a ship in which he might take passage.
Mind you, the fact that they did not find one here could be taken as evidence of a lack of support for the Royalists. Or perhaps it was just that the tide was out. Either way, Charles was obliged to journey further to the east and he eventually sailed from Brighton.