Tulips, Topiary, Tradescanth & Thyme: 17th Century Gardens

This talk is delivered by Mistress Agnes on one of her rare visits from the seventeenth century. She will describe gardening and the importance of gardens in her time, ranging from the country house gardens of Inigo Jones to the labourers’ cottage gardens. Find out how vital gardens were to the household economy of our ancestors and how various plants could be used. What would be eaten? Which plants were used in the production of textiles? What form of pest control was used? Why do we plant bay trees outside our door? What plants have a household use? How can plants be used to cure illnesses? Mistress Agnes will answer all these questions and share her experience of the Stuart period.

Janet is an experienced family, social and community historian who lectures regularly on these subjects throughout the UK and overseas. Working as an historical interpreter, Janet spends time living in the seventeenth century as her alter ego, Mistress Agnes. Her book, Coffers, Clysters, Comfrey and Coifs: the lives of our seventeenth century ancestors, describes the social history of the period. She is the manager of Swords and Spindles https://swordsandspindles.wordpress.com, a company providing living history presentations for schools, heritage sites, history societies and social groups. Further information can be found on her website http://thehistoryinterpreter.wordpress.com.

Booking is advisable and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.  Tickets are £5 and available in advance from the DRA office.  To reserve a seat please call Abi on 01548 830832 or email abi@dra.uk.net