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About Us

Being based in the heart of the midlands we often visit clients who say, “Are you a Baggies fan then?” referring to their assumption that we are supporters of West Bromwich Albion. Although West Bromwich Albion are one of the founding members of the football league, our name goes back much further than the late nineteenth century.
Little Acorns Grow
Albion Oak Albion is one of the oldest known names for what we now call the United Kingdom - especially the island of Great Britain - and it carries a mix of geography, mythology and ancient history.

What “Albion” Means

The name likely comes from a root meaning “white”, often linked to the dramatic white cliffs along England’s southern coast - especially the White Cliffs of Dover. Possibly from the Latin term alabaster Derived from the Greek alábastros or alabastos. Ancient sailors approaching from mainland Europe would have seen these bright cliffs first, making them a natural landmark - and possibly the origin of the name - The Albion.

Ancient Origins

The term “Albion” appears in very early classical writings: • Used by Greek explorers like Pytheas of Massalia (around 4th century BCE) • Later referenced by Roman authors including Pliny the Elder Back then, “Albion” referred broadly to the island of Great Britain, not the modern political UK. After the last Ice Age, much of England was covered in dense forest, with native species like: • English oak • Sessile oak Oak trees were dominant because they’re long-lived and support rich ecosystems. The primary difference between English oak (Quercus robur) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea) is that English oak acorns grow on long stalks (peduncles) while its leaves have almost no stalk, whereas sessile oak acorns are stalkless (sessile), sitting directly on twigs and its leaves have long stalks. English oak often has twisted branches and "eared" leaf bases, while sessile oak grows straighter and is more common in uplands. Oak buildings have been around since the days of Alfred the Great in 850 and oak became strategically critical mostly used for buildings but in the 1500’s Henry VIII cut down many of the English Oak trees to make his ships: • Used heavily for building ships in the Royal Navy • A single warship could require thousands of oak trees The royal connection continued in 1651 with the escape of Charles II of England from the Battle of Worcester, the final major battle of the English Civil War. Charles hid in an oak tree at Boscobel House where he stayed there for hours while enemy soldiers searched nearby This event became legendary - so much so that “Royal Oak” is still a common pub name in England. The Royal Oak is close to where we are based although it is believed that the current tree at Boscobel House is a later tree grown from the original. During wars like the Napoleonic Wars, demand skyrocketed and more oak was used further reducing the volume of English Oak in the UK

Myth & Legend

In medieval legend, Albion takes on a more mythical tone: • It was said to be named after a giant called Albion • In some stories, the land was inhabited by giants before humans arrived These stories were popularized in works like those attributed to Geoffrey of Monmouth.

Use in Later History

Even after “Britain” became the standard name, “Albion” continued to appear: • In poetry and literature as a romantic or symbolic name for Britain • In works by writers like William Blake, who used Albion as a personification of the nation

Modern Usage

Today, “Albion” survives mainly in cultural and poetic contexts: • Sports teams like West Bromwich Albion and Brighton and Hove Albion • Historical or literary references to Britain • And us - Albion Oak Limited It often evokes a sense of ancient identity or mythic Britain rather than the modern state.

In Short

Albion = an ancient, poetic name for Great Britain, probably inspired by its white cliffs and later enriched by myth and literature and we believe a fitting name for our company.
Alabaster White Cliffs
English Oak
THE Royal Oak
Two Bay Sketch Garage
© 2016
Albion Oak Albion is one of the oldest known names for what we now call the United Kingdom - especially the island of Great Britain - and it carries a mix of geography, mythology and ancient history.

What “Albion” Means

The name likely comes from a root meaning “white”, often linked to the dramatic white cliffs along England’s southern coast - especially the White Cliffs of Dover. Possibly from the Latin term alabaster Derived from the Greek alábastros or alabastos. Ancient sailors approaching from mainland Europe would have seen these bright cliffs first, making them a natural landmark - and possibly the origin of the name - The Albion.

Ancient Origins

The term “Albion” appears in very early classical writings: • Used by Greek explorers like Pytheas of Massalia (around 4th century BCE) • Later referenced by Roman authors including Pliny the Elder Back then, “Albion” referred broadly to the island of Great Britain, not the modern political UK. After the last Ice Age, much of England was covered in dense forest, with native species like: • English oak • Sessile oak Oak trees were dominant because they’re long-lived and support rich ecosystems. The primary difference between English oak (Quercus robur) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea) is that English oak acorns grow on long stalks (peduncles) while its leaves have almost no stalk, whereas sessile oak acorns are stalkless (sessile), sitting directly on twigs and its leaves have long stalks. English oak often has twisted branches and "eared" leaf bases, while sessile oak grows straighter and is more common in uplands. Oak buildings have been around since the days of Alfred the Great in 850 and oak became strategically critical mostly used for buildings but in the 1500’s Henry VIII cut down many of the English Oak trees to make his ships: • Used heavily for building ships in the Royal Navy • A single warship could require thousands of oak trees The royal connection continued in 1651 with the escape of Charles II of England from the Battle of Worcester, the final major battle of the English Civil War. Charles hid in an oak tree at Boscobel House where he stayed there for hours while enemy soldiers searched nearby This event became legendary - so much so that “Royal Oak” is still a common pub name in England. The Royal Oak is close to where we are based although it is believed that the current tree at Boscobel House is a later tree grown from the original. During wars like the Napoleonic Wars, demand skyrocketed and more oak was used further reducing the volume of English Oak in the UK

Myth & Legend

In medieval legend, Albion takes on a more mythical tone: • It was said to be named after a giant called Albion • In some stories, the land was inhabited by giants before humans arrived These stories were popularized in works like those attributed to Geoffrey of Monmouth.

Use in Later History

Even after “Britain” became the standard name, “Albion” continued to appear: • In poetry and literature as a romantic or symbolic name for Britain • In works by writers like William Blake, who used Albion as a personification of the nation

Modern Usage

Today, “Albion” survives mainly in cultural and poetic contexts: • Sports teams like West Bromwich Albion and Brighton and Hove Albion • Historical or literary references to Britain • And us - Albion Oak Limited It often evokes a sense of ancient identity or mythic Britain rather than the modern state.

In Short

Albion = an ancient, poetic name for Great Britain, probably inspired by its white cliffs and later enriched by myth and literature and we believe a fitting name for our company.

About Us

Being based in the heart of the midlands we often visit clients who say, “Are you a Baggies fan then?” referring to their assumption that we are supporters of West Bromwich Albion. Although West Bromwich Albion are one of the founding members of the football league, our name goes back much further than the late nineteenth century.
Alabaster White Cliffs
English Oak
THE Royal Oak

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© 2016 - Need help? Contact us on 07967 778808