A GUIDE TO MEDIEVAL GARDENS

Nothing fascinates Michael Brown more than gardening history. His latest book talks readers through what started out as a small gardening project and grew into the largest medieval-style garden in Europe. Described by English gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh as “a stunning example of a recreated medieval garden”, Michael’s medieval gardens at Prebendal Manor, Nassington, Northamptonshire, began to take shape back in 1995. His book, A Guide to Medieval Gardens, summarises a mere fraction of the research he carried out as he developed the gardens at Prebendal Manor. Whether you have green fingers or you are a stranger to gardening, this comprehensive study of medieval plants and their various uses, medieval food, crops and herbals makes a fascinating read.

With medieval gardens a somewhat neglected topic, information on gardens in this period is limited to sources such as poetry, tapestries, manuscripts and financial accounts. Michael’s expert analysis of these sources makes for compelling reading, complete with images of medieval tapestries and artworks.

Read up on the influences of European gardens on Britain in this period, medieval sacred and secular gardens, pleasure parks, the medieval gardener and his tools, how to create your very own medieval garden, and what you should avoid, based on Michael’s own experiences.

Michael’s research sheds new light on the intriguing meaning and symbolism of medieval gardens, which is often lacking in our gardens today.

White Owl, £25; ISBN: 978-152679-454-3