Many of the flowers grown today were common to medieval England. Flowers were deemed particularly important in medieval times and used for medicinal
and culinary purposes.

Cowslip, Daisy, Foxglove, Iris, Lady's Mantle, Lily, Marigold, Nasturtium and many more flowers could well find their way onto the dining table at a medieval feast.

 

 

 

 

 

MEDIEVAL FLOWERS

Flowers were popular in medieval cookery, especially in salads. Violets, borage and primroses were often added to salads to give extra flavour, colour and texture. Here are some of the flowers grown in medieval times. Not all were used in cooking of course!

Christmas Rose

Cowslip

Daisy – seen in many medieval paintings where meadows were portrayed

Foxglove

Iris

Lady's Mantle

Lily –  seen in many medieval paintings, especially ones with a religious theme

Marigold – used in dying wool to give a golden colour

Nasturtium – popular in salads

Peony – featured in medieval tapestries and paintings

Primrose – used in salads but also for church decoration, especially in May

Rose

Snowdrop

Violet – used in salads, like the primrose

Wild Strawberry – a great addition to salads as well as eaten in its own right.