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Gareth Evans gives a brief cultural history of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria). What some would consider an unremarkable wild flower had great significance to our forebears. This short 'plant portrait' presents some aspects of the flower's widespread appearance in European folklore; then delves further back to describe some of the fascinating sequence of finds from Bronze Age archaeological excavations. In our modern world, meadowsweet's share in the development of aspirin makes it a part of all our everyday lives. Header images: Meadowsweet and honey ice cream,
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| Meadowsweet; history in a pudding bowl.pdf |
Select References:
- Fan Foel Excavation 2004 – 2005 Cadw: http://www.cambria.org.uk/projects/fanfoel.htm
- L.A. Buchner, Repertorium für die Pharmacie, Nürnberg 1834.
- S. Davies, The Mabinogon, OUP 2007.
- M. & G. Dineley, Neolithic Ale: 'Barley as a source of sugars for fermentation.' ed. Fairbairn, Plants in the Neolithic and Beyond, Oxbow Books 2000.
- D. Jeffreys, Aspirin: The Extraordinary Story of a Wonder Drug. Bloomsbury 2005.
Blodeuedd; the flower bride from The Mabinogon.
Blodeuedd (‘flowers’) finds herself conjured up to marry Lleu Llaw Gyffes in order to get around his reticent mother’s curse that he may not to have a human wife. Her new husband was fair and skilful, but soon she and another princeling fall in love with each other at first sight, and inevitably soon fall into each other’s arms.
They plot for the length of a year to dispose of Lleu although he is an indestructible hero, his only vulnerability involves particularly involved sequence of events. Nevertheless under the guise of concern and regardless of calls of ‘don’t listen to her’ from the reader, Lleu yields to Blodeuedd’s requests and willingly demonstrates the bizarre scenario that involves a bath tub and a billy goat. Blodeuedd’s lover spears Lleu who disappears after being transformed into a screaming eagle. Blodeuedd and her lover rule both their lands but revenge is at hand. The magician that created Blodeuedd for Lleu finds the suffering eagle he has been transform into. Restored, Lleu musters help and captures the couple. The lover is impaled at the spot that he smote Lleu and is killed. Blodeuedd’s life is spared but she is transformed into an owl, a bird shunned by all other birds. She was to be called from that time, Blodeuwedd (‘Flower-face’, the Welsh for owl). |
Christopher Williams, 'Blodeuwedd', c1925-30. The future bride emerges from oak, meadowsweet and broom. Newport Museum and Art Gallery.
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