A more than 400-year-old oak in a former North Yorkshire royal park has tragically fallen down.

It was one of the last veteran trees in the old royal forest of Knaresborough.

Pictures show that it has rotted from the inside out and succumbed to the elements.

The oak features in the Ancient Tree Inventory which is collated by the Woodland Trust.

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A keen tree enthusiast, posting on social media under the alias of The Sheriff of Nottingham, made a touching tribute to the veteran oak.

He said: "We say thank you and farewell to an ancient oak which fell recently.

"One of the last veteran trees of the Royal Forest of Knaresborough, Yorkshire, fell to the ground last week.

"The oak tree, in the field off Hall Lane at Blubberhouses, is believed to be around 400 years old, meaning it was mature when the royal hunting forest of Knaresborough was dismembered and sold off in 1770.

"Hollowed out and rotting at the base, it is thought to have fallen victim to the recent dry weather.

"The tree is included in the Ancient Tree Inventory, which is maintained by the Woodland Trust, and is listed as measuring 5.67m around its trunk.

"May she rest in peace."

Knaresborough Forest has existed before records began and first came under royal rule after the Norman invasion in 1066. 

The land became known as the Forest of Knaresborough and it contained a multitude of parks and woodland preserves. 

Over the centuries it became a bit of a royal favourite, King John took over the castle and grounds in 1205.

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He fortified the castle in order to defend himself against the northern lords causing him trouble.

Edward I and Edward II also spent large amounts of money strengthening the fortress. 

In 1333, Edward III gifted the land and castle to his wife Queen Philippa.