Garden Trail

A garden trail is being created to trace the history of Pengersick from the earliest evidence of human habitation, through to the date some thousands of years later, which saw the departure of the family resident here from the early 13th century.

PREHISTORY

The first requirement of settlers from the beginning of time has always been an ample supply of fresh water. Our search for some evidence of this led us to dowsing. The proof we hoped to find came with a visit from an expert in this field. Two watercourses were located, one still active, some 30 feet beneath the present ground level.

Further dowsing indicated the existence of a range of round houses probably linking up with the extensive settlement of the period around near-by Tregonning Hill and archaeological discoveries on Praa Sands Beach. Dowsing being no conclusive proof in the view of archaeologists, a trench was opened in the hopes of finding at least a post-hole. Better than that - the remains of a quern came to light. This has now been reconstructed on site. A selection of plants known to have been part of the diet and domestic needs of our ancestors is now being cultivated.

THE DARK AGES

Still to be developed is a link between the Pre-historic and Mediaeval eras. A scattering of acorns several years ago was quite forgotten; then suddenly we discovered we had an embryo Oak Grove! Here was the connection – Druids! Their background is obscure but there is a mention of their presence in Gaul around 50 BC, with a suggestion that they had come to Gaul via Britain . There is evidence in the writings of Pliny 70 AD of ‘Holy Groves in the Gallic Provinces'. There is also reference in Celtic mythology to Rowans and Yews, both of which can be found around our Woodland Walk.

MEDAEVAL TIMES

On the way to the foundations of the original home of the Pengersick family, a possible burial site has been identified. Its location is typical of the custom of the time, being sited against the prevailing wind. At least 20 members of the Pengersick household are believed to have perished in the 1361 outbreak of the Plague. A selection of plants likely to have been used in the hope of warding off infection is being grown.

The site of the original Pengersick home is being enhanced with a cobbled area containing plants used to celebrate the Summer Solstice, supplemented by another section of plants introduced by the Crusaders. In all probability, Alexander Lord of Pengersick (c1250) was a Templar Knight. A link is being made by means of a woodland walk to introduce a planting of the NINE SACRED HERBS designated in the Leechbook of Bald (AD 900-95) as a defence against unseen powers and natural disasters. This leads to the probable site of an ORATORY CHAPEL last licensed in 1400.

A MEDAEVAL HERB GARDEN was created several years ago on a site likely for such a requirement. The design for this was based on that for the Monastery of St Gaul, the prime source for all subsequent constructions. Certainly Bishop Aelfric who drew up the first planting list known in England in AD995 must have had a knowledge of it. His catalogue contains some 200 entries. We have based our scheme on this evidence.

THE TUDOR ERA

The Middle Ages ended at Pengersick with the death in 1476 of Isabella, the last direct descendant of the original family. She left her Cornish inheritance to a daughter Elizabeth, wife of a prominent Devonian, John Milliton. They created a magnificent fortified Tudor dwelling in a new situation, reusing what fabric they could from the old home. It is the dual tower complex of this which survives today.

The probable site of their garden has sadly been destroyed by recent developments but the possible location of an early ORCHARD and KNOT GARDEN have been identified. Added to this, a display of ‘Roses in the Context of History' is being created to link Pengersick with the Wars of the Roses which was the catalyst for its success in the Tudor World.


MORE MODERN TIMES

We are now working on a display 'Roses in the Context of History', taking the development of the early Alba, Gallica and Damask stocks, to produce a longer flowering season. (Whoever said that you can't grow roses in Cornwall should pay us a visit in June! )

This story also provides a useful link with the Wars of the Roses, the catalyst for the success of the Milliton family in 16th Century Cornwall.

Many of the roses in Pengersick's garden are originally from Godolphin Hill Nursery.