THE MEDIEVAL GARDEN

Hidden behind the steep walls of Rye Castle , and bonded into the substantial brickwork of both the Ypres and Women's Towers, is an important reconstruction of a 15th Century pleasure garden. First created between 1997 - 1998, the garden includes essential features from the medieval period, together with herbs and plants of culinary, household and medicinal importance. During the next twelve months, herb-grower and writer Lin Saines will be re-introducing herbs from the original plan, and re-planting areas that have become somewhat overgrown. We will be updating progress throughout the year, and regularly pointing out features of interest to visitors.

The Medieval person saw gardens very differently to ourselves.  Monastery gardens grew vital healing herbs for the community, the poor grew plants just to keep them alive including "pottage" herbs to stew with a little meat or fish where possible, and pleasure gardens such as the Rye Garden were richly planted to entice all five senses. A fragrant chamomile seat with adjacent table, set in a sunny aspect where red and white roses scented the area, was the perfect spot for listening to music while eating and drinking, sewing, reading and indulging perhaps in a little flirting! An arbour where vines and sweetly-scented honeysuckles and roses intertwined gave shade, perfume and fruit. Wild strawberries abounded, the fragrance of herbs filled the air as people brushed by them, or rubbed them between their fingers to enhance the scent, and the sound of water soothed the spirit. A vision of paradise indeed, in a time of turmoil. In the 1400's a hidden garden such as this reconstruction would be a haven for the well-born ladies of the castle to forget, for a short time, a century of war. October 1415 saw Henry V defeat the French at Agincourt. His son Henry VI lost France, leaving us open to invasion. In 1449 when French troops attached Rye, many of the healing herbs seen growing in this garden today would have been collected, then pounded or infused to provide medicines and healing ointments for the wounded.  Fresh herbs strewn over floors kept fleas and vermin at bay, clothes could be washed and disinfected using soapwort, lavender and rosemary, while herbs grown for the cooking pot and costly spices kept locked away in cupboards "gingered up" a bland diet. 

To-date we have re-established the seating area, correctly siting table and benches at the "Women's Tower" end of the garden with "Rose Gallica" and "Rosa Alba" nearby.  The chamomile seat will be completely re-planted in the Spring of 2009,  and a corner of important "Dyer's Herbs" for colouring cloth and making ink, together with herbs used at times of war throughout the Medieval and Tudor periods will be gradually introduced