Garden Trail

Medieval Garden renovation project

Justification statement

There would seem to be considerable evidence to support the principle of portraying a medieval garden within the grounds of Pengersick Castle.

A license for a Chantry or Oratory Chapel at Pengersick was granted in 1391 and again in 1400. It has been claimed that a warrant was issued in 1246 for the establishment of an Apothocarian Garden at Pengersick and that Henry VIII granted a license for the growing of medicinal herbs and poisons. While these claims have not been confirmed it may turn out to be true. The medieval garden provides a link between the Tudor castle and other areas at Pengersick creating continuity between the various gardens based on historic themes displayed within the grounds. There is little likelihood that any historic garden license would have referred to this particular part of land at Pengersick, however, the development shows a typical garden of the period making best use and cultural display out of this particular area.

Dowsing carried out within the grounds of Pengersick Castle (circa 1996-7) seemed to point to an early chapel site to the SW of the now confirmed original medieval dwelling and it is adjacent to this alleged chapel site that the medieval garden at Pengersick was created in 2000. It was often the case that such gardens were located close to a place of worship and that it may well have been that the resident priest or monk would have been responsible for tending to the garden. Additionally there is a watercourse nearby (an important consideration for the cultivation of plants) and the ground here is very fertile.

Extensive research took place (circa 1997-9) not just in terms of the design of a medieval garden, but also in terms of the plants grown therein. Funding was obtained from various sources including The Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust, The Pengersick Historic and Education Trust and Cornwall Garden Trust.

Assisted and supported by Nigel Mathews (Cornwall County Council Landscape Architect) a design was worked up for the garden based on ideas and concepts drawn from illuminated manuscripts, paintings, tapestries, other re-created medieval gardens within the UK, as well as consulting horticulturalists, books on the subject of medieval gardens and other resources. Local schools, the WEA, colleges, conservation and the local community were involved in the overall planning and construction as well as the sowing, growing on, planting and general cultivation of plants. Channel 4 filmed (and broadcast) the entire process from planning meetings through construction to a grand opening on completion.

Finally completed in 2000 the garden was based on the earliest listing of plants drawn up in England by Bishop Aelfric in 995AD. The list contains some 200 items which made a garden the 'Luffendlc Stede' of Aelfric's Anglo Saxon. The design was based on that of the Benedictine Monastery at St Gall, dating from 810AD. Here individual beds were prepared with purposes - Culinary, Medicinal and Household. Beyond this utilitarian section lay an area for relaxation with turf seats and plantings of Roses, Madonna Lilies and Irises.

The overall project received international acclaim.

The medieval garden forms part of the Pengersick Garden Trail Project, which received funding in September 2005 from Cornwall AONB Sustainable Development Fund, a part of which was used to provide much needed quality signage and interpretation boards for the medieval garden.

The original (2000) garden structures were constructed from elm felled from the grounds of Pengersick, which had already succumbed to the dreaded Dutch Elm disease. These have proven to be very short lived, had rotted badly and collapsed in places and have now been removed, leaving many unsupported plants - hence the need to construct replacement structures on the same foot print as the original 2000 structures.

The area of the medieval garden lies outside of the Scheduled Area and outside of the historic boundary wall of Pengersick Castle. Historically, this area has been very disturbed by previous developments and lying outside the boundary of the site known as Pengersick Castle it is unlikely to have insitu archaeological remains. However, a watching brief may allow for the discovery of unexpected artefacts and unexpected structures surviving against expectations.

The medieval garden at Pengersick provides a wonderful educational resource linking living history with education and has been used by various local schools reinforcing the original purpose of the Pengersick Historic and Education Trust.

15th & 16th February 2011 - Measuring & marking out site

End of February 2011 - Cornish Oak trees before being cut - Crocadon Sawmill, Pentillie Estate, St Mellion (Additional Oak trees were also brought in from the Caerhays Estate, Roseland Peninsula).

14th March 2011 - Delivery of riven Oak laths from Coyle Timber, Bath, Somerset.

16th March 2011 - Still sorting and cutting Oak posts and rails in a very full workshop.

The craftsman creating our Medieval Garden structures for us is:

Daniel McLaughlin
Bespoke Furniture & Joinery
St Columb Major
Cornwall

www.furniturebydan.co.uk

You can see some more photos of the garden restoration by clicking here

Phil Martin has written an interesting article about the garden, which you can read by clicking here.