Old Oak Tree

This oak tree must be very old. It seems to have taken on a strange bent and leaning stance quite early in life, I wonder what caused this. It is still a magnificent tree and there was a massive carpet of golden and brown leaves beneath it. 

There are a few of these ancient oak trees in the vicinity, no doubt the remains of a huge oak woodland. It is opposite Wetheral Priory Gatehouse. I wonder whether this tree was here when there were monks at the Priory.