DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49977#0184
162
A HISTORY OF GARDENING IN ENGLAND.
chambers,” for Henry VIII. In 1552, in Princess Elizabeth’s
accounts, there are numerous entries of payments to a certain
Thomas Briesly, for “ flowers and herbs by him provided for the
same purpose.” The sum of £10 was paid in 1565 and 1567, to
Robert Jones, for providing boughs and flowers for the Council
Chamber.* Queen Elizabeth was so fond of having a constant
supply of flowers for strewing, that a waiting-woman was
appointed with a fixed salary to have flowers always in readiness.
So late as 1713 this office had not been abolished, as there is a
letter extant in the State Archives addressed to Alice Blizard,
who held the post of “ herbe strewer to Her Majesty the Queen.”
Parkinson, writing about what flowers are suitable for laying out
knots, says of both Germander and Hyssop, “ they must be kept
in some form and proportion with cutting, and the cuttings are
much used as a strawing herb for houses, being pretty and sweet.”
The houses must have been made very fragrant with many
herbs and flowers, not only strewn on the floor but placed in
vases about the rooms. In the Loseley Accounts in 1556, the
item occurs, “ a blewe potte for flowers id.” t Parkinson says
of both Yew and Box, they are used “ to deck up houses in the
winter-time.” Not only in pots and vases were flowers to be
found, but many were skilfully arranged into little posies, and
worn as personal ornaments. Violets made into garlands, posies,
and nosegays “ are delightful to look on, and pleasant to smell.
“ Auriculas do seem every one of them to be a nosegay alone of
itself they are not unfurnished with a pretty sweet
scent, which dothe adde an increase of pleasure in those that
make them ornaments for their wearing.Ӥ Another curious
button-hole was the Fritillaria, which, says Parkinson, was
“ worn abroad ” by the “ curious lovers of these delights.”
Some flowers had particular meaning attacked to them, and
were therefore worn on special occasions, a practice which has
not altogether died out. One interesting survival of such old
customs is the sprig of Thyme carried by the Order of Oddfellows
(Manchester Unity) at the funeral of one of their brothers, and
* Acts of the Privy Council. New Series, Vol. VII., 1893.
J Archceolugia, Vol. XXXVI. f Gerard. § Parkinson.
A HISTORY OF GARDENING IN ENGLAND.
chambers,” for Henry VIII. In 1552, in Princess Elizabeth’s
accounts, there are numerous entries of payments to a certain
Thomas Briesly, for “ flowers and herbs by him provided for the
same purpose.” The sum of £10 was paid in 1565 and 1567, to
Robert Jones, for providing boughs and flowers for the Council
Chamber.* Queen Elizabeth was so fond of having a constant
supply of flowers for strewing, that a waiting-woman was
appointed with a fixed salary to have flowers always in readiness.
So late as 1713 this office had not been abolished, as there is a
letter extant in the State Archives addressed to Alice Blizard,
who held the post of “ herbe strewer to Her Majesty the Queen.”
Parkinson, writing about what flowers are suitable for laying out
knots, says of both Germander and Hyssop, “ they must be kept
in some form and proportion with cutting, and the cuttings are
much used as a strawing herb for houses, being pretty and sweet.”
The houses must have been made very fragrant with many
herbs and flowers, not only strewn on the floor but placed in
vases about the rooms. In the Loseley Accounts in 1556, the
item occurs, “ a blewe potte for flowers id.” t Parkinson says
of both Yew and Box, they are used “ to deck up houses in the
winter-time.” Not only in pots and vases were flowers to be
found, but many were skilfully arranged into little posies, and
worn as personal ornaments. Violets made into garlands, posies,
and nosegays “ are delightful to look on, and pleasant to smell.
“ Auriculas do seem every one of them to be a nosegay alone of
itself they are not unfurnished with a pretty sweet
scent, which dothe adde an increase of pleasure in those that
make them ornaments for their wearing.Ӥ Another curious
button-hole was the Fritillaria, which, says Parkinson, was
“ worn abroad ” by the “ curious lovers of these delights.”
Some flowers had particular meaning attacked to them, and
were therefore worn on special occasions, a practice which has
not altogether died out. One interesting survival of such old
customs is the sprig of Thyme carried by the Order of Oddfellows
(Manchester Unity) at the funeral of one of their brothers, and
* Acts of the Privy Council. New Series, Vol. VII., 1893.
J Archceolugia, Vol. XXXVI. f Gerard. § Parkinson.