MHG Volunteer Blog 22: Solomon's Seal

Want to explore Pontefract Castle's Medieval Herb Garden in more detail? Here's the latest volunteer blog! You can also browse all past MHG blogs here.

This week was the start of the tying-up and cutting-back season.

Helen weeded in front of the lavender. Carole dug up the large woad plant which was now out of place. It had accidentally been left in-situ when the other woad plants were moved to their new location last Autumn. She also cut back the white comfrey, which should produce another crop of flowers later in the year. With fingers crossed that the old folktales were correct, Carole then cut back the greater stitchwort. This is in the hope of thunderstorms and much needed rain!

Following the recent high winds, the purple comfrey was looking a bit tattered. We tied it up so it didn’t swamp the elf docks, various mallows, and other plants which surround it. This in turn will probably be cut back in a couple of weeks. With the green alkanet, it will be used to make our own liquid fertilizer.

Windswept purple comfrey in the Medieval Herb Garden

Plant of the Week - Solomon’s Seal (polygonatum multiflorum)

Polygonatum comes from the ancient Greek for "many knees". This refers to the multiple-jointed rhizome. One explanation for the derivation of the common name "Solomon's seal" is that the roots bear depressions which resemble the royal seal of King Solomon. Other names are: David’s harp, fraxinella, seal root, drop berry, ladder to heaven, and white root.

Solomon's seal is a deciduous, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial. It is a close relative of lily of the valley. It appears in Spring as an upright shoot of tightly-furled leaves.

Alternate, smooth, oval, ribbed, leaves then unfold from a long arching stem that can reach 3 feet in length.

Small clusters of two to seven flowers then appear, hanging in opposite direction to the leaves. The flowers are sweetly-smelling and creamy white to yellow-green. In Autumn red to black berries appear which are poisonous.

Solomon's seal in the Medieval Herb Garden

It has creeping, rhizomatous roots, which can be divided in Autumn. It will grow in any moist but well-drained soil, in any level of sunlight.

Culinary uses of Solomon's seal

The roots softened for some time in water produces a starchy substance. This is capable of being used as food.

In Turkey, the young shoots are boiled and eaten like asparagus.

Folklore and other facts about Solomon's seal

The origin of the plant is traced back to King Solomon’s days 3500 years ago. He said that the herb was a gift from God due to its many uses.

According to tales and legends, the Seal of Solomon was the symbol on a signet ring owned by King Solomon. This allowed him to control demons and genies.

In traditional folk magic, the plant can be used for exorcisms and to protect a home from evil spirits. It can be infused in water then sprinkled over an area, or the dried roots can be placed in the corners of a room, to keep out unwanted influences.

In China, the herb’s first recorded use goes back to the Divine Husbandman’s Classic (Shen’nong Bencaojing) of the 1st century AD. It is known as one of the top ten medicinal herbs in Asia.

The flowers and roots are used as snuff. They are celebrated for their power to cause sneezing and relieving stuffy noses. They also had a wide vogue as aphrodisiacs, for love philtres and potions!

Solomon's seal was used for hair massages to strengthen brittle and weak hair.

Medieval uses*

The root was used to heal and close new wounds, hurts, and “outward sores”. It could dry and restrain fluids from old wounds. It also stopped vomiting and bleeding.

Combined with other remedies, Solomon's Seal was given in pulmonary consumption and bleeding of the lungs.

It was used as a tonic, and was good in inflammations of the stomach and bowels, piles, and chronic dysentery.

It was used for healing bones and the removal of bruises, both internally and externally. It was also used for all types of skin complaints, and as a cure for St Anthony’s Fire.

Reporting on Solomon’s seal in 1597 John Gerard stated, “As touching the knitting of bones and that truly which might be written, there is not another herb to be found comparable to it for the purposes aforesaid”.

*As always, this isn't to be considered medical advice today. Please don't use any plants mentioned in these blogs as medicine without advice from a doctor.

Wayne: My Work Placement with Wakefield Museums and Castles

This blog has been written by Wayne who has been volunteering with us at the museum store since 2021. He has also been doing a university course on preventative conservation. Wayne has been looking at how museum objects can be stored, displayed, and generally looked after in ways that protect them from damage.

As part of Wayne’s course, he had to do a student placement where he would put some of what he has learned into practice. He chose to do his student placement with us! Read on to find out what he's been up to.

Wayne lightly dusting a uniform cap with a paintbrush and the Museum Vac at the Museum Store

My Work Placement with Wakefield Museums and Castles

I'm Wayne. I have just completed my university student placement module with Wakefield Museums and Castles at the museum store. I have also been a volunteer here for a long time now and so it was nice to take on a different role.

During my placement I worked closely with various members of the Museums and Castles Team on different projects. The guidance and generosity of the staff played a crucial role in my development. They helped me expand my knowledge further by putting into practice what I have been learning.

My first project was to look at light levels. I was checking if the light in the museum and the museum cases was too bright for the objects on display. Different types of objects have different reactions to brightness levels. Some of these reactions can cause permanent damage or colour fading to the object. Light levels are checked with a light meter. This measures the brightness of light in lux, or by the amount of light that falls on a surface, which is measured in lumens per square metre.  

Rows of boxes of carefully stored objects in the Museum Store

I started the project by locating light-sensitive objects (objects most likely to fade or become damaged) that are on display in the museums, using the collections database. I then checked how long they had been on display for. Damage caused by light can also be affected by how long an object has been exposed to light.

To prevent light damage from happening, it is important to regularly test, monitor, and set light brightness. We also calculate how long the object can be displayed for before it becomes at risk of light damage. When an object reaches its display time limit, it should be moved to dark storage where it can “get some rest”. 

The next stage of my work was to identify which of the museum objects on display have reached their display limit so that they can be swapped and moved to dark storage.

Food collections

Now this may sound strange to many people that already know food and museum collections don’t go together normally! Food can rot or attract pests like mice and insects. These may then damage other objects as well.

However, there are some food objects in the museum collection. They can tell us a great deal about the past. One such object is a hot cross bun from the Crimean War. This bun is nearly 200 years old. It is said to have survived inside a pocket of a soldier because he forgot it was there “like you do”.

The hot cross bun that survived the Crimean War!

This brings me to my next project, which I also decided to base the written part of my student placement on. Before I could start the project, I had to locate all the food objects in the museum collection. This was not easy! A lot of the object records on the collections database describe the wrapping, or box, but not always whether the food itself was still in the packaging.

Once I identified the food, I looked at its condition and whether it was in sealed packaging and whether it had dried out or started to rot or fall apart. I then looked at how these food-based objects could be stored and displayed in a way that would prevent or stop any deterioration.

After I started to research this, I soon realised that there was a gap in information in this area. The information I did find included protecting the food from the threat of pests by keeping them in sealed containers. These will keep out even the smallest insect.

A freshly repacked box with food collection objects - not to be mistaken for your lunch...

The food was also placed inside separate plastic bags. This meant that more than one object can be packed in a box, but each object is still sealed and separate. I also placed a humidity strip and silica gel into the boxes. The humidity strip monitors how much moisture is in the box and the silica gel absorbs it.

Once everything was repacked into plastic boxes, I put all of the food objects into the same storage area. This will make it easier to check them, as this will need to done regularly.   

Working with the museum team, we did make the decision to remove some of the food from its packaging and dispose of it. Some of these objects included food that were in open packets, like some crisps from 1981 that really did smell bad!

Out-of-date commemorative Bovril Flavour crisps, anyone?

There were also some bonbons that had turned brown in colour. We did keep the packaging for the museum collection, however.

A jar of plums 'bottled on the first day of the Great War, 1914-18'

I would like to thank all the staff at the museum store and many others that made my work placement an enjoyable experience.

MHG Volunteer Blog 21: Horseradish

Want to explore Pontefract Castle's Medieval Herb Garden in more detail? Here's the latest volunteer blog! You can also browse all past MHG blogs here.

Another Bank Holiday. So, of course, the weather was blustery and overcast. Following the recent windy, but well-needed, downpour, the Medieval Herb Garden was looking a little battered in places. With the rain, no doubt the weeds will be back with a vengeance!

Carole carried out the weekly flowering-plant count and re-stocked the sales barrow. She was also kept busy talking to visitors, helping with the dungeon tour and dodging rain drops!

A thriving part of the MHG

Plant of the Week - Horseradish (armoracia rusticana)

The name 'horseradish' first arose in the 1590s. The word 'horse' could be used to mean strong or coarse. 'Radish' comes from the Latin 'radix', meaning root. It has other names such as monk’s rhubarb, patience and red cole.

Horseradish comes from eastern Europe. It is a vigorous, perennial herbaceous plant of the family brassicaceae. This family also includes mustard, wasabi, broccoli, cabbage and radish.

Horseradish has hairless, bright green, unlobed leaves up to 3ft long. The leaves may easily be mistaken for dock leaves.

It doesn’t always flower. However, when it does in May to June, it produces small, white, four-petalled flowers. If grown for eating, the large white root should be dug up, leaving some behind to produce a plant the following year.

Horseradish in flower in the Medieval Herb Garden

Culinary uses of horseradish

Horseradish was first used in cooking in the 1600s (it was used for other purposes much earlier). Tthe leaves of the plant are edible, either cooked or raw when young. They have a flavour similar to, but weaker than, the roots.

Prepared horseradish is a common ingredient in Bloody Mary cocktails and in cocktail sauce. It is also used as a sauce or sandwich spread. Horseradish sauce is a common accompaniment to roast beef - and has been since the late 1600s!

Prepared horseradish is white to creamy beige. It can be stored for up to 3 months in the fridge. Eventually it will lose its pungency, darken in colour, and develop a bitter flavour.

Outside of Japan, the Japanese condiment wasabi is now usually made with horseradish. Traditionally it is made from the true wasabi plant (wasabia japonica), but horseradish is much more readily available. The Japanese botanical name for horseradish is seiyōwasabi or "western wasabi".

Folklore and other facts about horseradish

Legend has it that the Delphic oracle told Apollo: “The radish is worth its weight in lead, the beet its weight in silver, the horseradish its weight in gold.”

30,000 metric tonnes of horseradish are produced in Europe annually. Hungary is the biggest producer, producing 12,000 tonnes.

"Cabbage worms", the larvae of pieris rapae, are a common caterpillar pest of horseradish. Another common pest is the mustard leaf beetle (phaedon cochleariae).

In the Fens, horseradish was used to predict the sex of an unborn child. Both parents placed a piece of horseradish under their pillows at night. Whichever parent's piece turned black first would indicate the sex of the child.

Medieval uses*

The ancient Greeks and Egyptians used horseradish as a rub for lower back pain and as an aphrodisiac. Horseradish was used for loosening phlegm in the body, whether in the sinuses, joints, or blood. It was good for conditions such as lymphedema, arthritis, sciatica, colic, strangury, scurvy, colds and flus, and expelling worms in children.

Some used horseradish syrup as an expectorant cough medicine. Others were convinced it cured everything from rheumatism to tuberculosis.

*As always, this isn't to be considered medical advice today. Please don't use any plants mentioned in these blogs as medicine without advice from a doctor.

MHG Volunteer Blog 20: Sweet Rocket

It's time for the latest blog from our dedicated team of volunteer gardeners at Pontefract Castle.

Find out more about their blog series here.

Today, the Medieval Herb Garden is looking really good! We have over 50 different varieties in flower.  

No weeding today! Caroline and Louis turned over the soil on the dry-stone wall (in case it rains) and then swept the wall and the drainage channel. They then tided-up around the lavender hedge. 

Carole gave the prostrate rosemary one of its regular 'haircuts'. She then topped up the sales barrow with more welsh onions, pink mop-head hydrangeas and houndstongue.

With the help of volunteer Callum, Carole then potted-on some more houndstongue seedlings.

The rosemary halfway through its regular 'haircut'

Plant of the Week - Sweet Rocket (hesperis matronalis)

Hesperis matronalis was given its modern scientific name by Carl Linnaeus in his book Species Plantarum in 1753. The name, Hesperis, means "of the evening", referring to the strong fragrance of the flowers late in the day. 

In the past, this species was known as "Damask violet" in English and "Viola Damascena" in Latin. These both refer to the city of Damascus in Syria. The French name "Violette de Damas" also refers to Damascus.

Damas was possibly mistaken for "dames", giving rise to the common name "dame's violet” and "dame’s rocket".

Sweet rocket in flower in the Medieval Herb Garden

Originally from Italy, sweet rocket is a biennial, erect, multi-stemmed, herbaceous plant. It will grow in any alkaline to neutral soil, and in any aspect, in full or partial shade. It grows to a height of 3ft and a width of 2ft.

The leaves are alternately arranged on upright stems and are oval-shaped. They have short hairs on the top and bottom surfaces which give the leaves a somewhat rough feel.

The flowers appear in late Spring of the plant's second year. They are various shades of mauve and purple and sometimes white. They are up to 2cm across and have 4 petals.

Sweet rocket later produces 2–4 inch seed pods, similar in shape to pea pods. It will readily self-seed.

Culinary uses of Sweet Rocket

The young leaves are slightly bitter. Despite this, they can be eaten in salads or cooked, if picked before the plant flowers. The leaves are available in the winter months when few other greens are available.

The flower buds are eaten for their spicy flavour and bright colour.

The seeds of the plant can also be sprouted and eaten in salads.

Folklore and other facts about Sweet Rocket

Sweet rocket was a favourite flower of the French Queen, Marie Antoinette.

In the Victorian language of flowers, it stood for deception. It gives out a lovely perfume in the evening, but in the daytime has none.

It is considered an invasive species in some areas. This is especially in the states of Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, Wisconsin and Connecticut, where it is banned. It is illegal to move, sell, purchase, transplant, cultivate, or distribute the plant in these places.

Oil from the seeds is used in making perfume.

In Europe, sweet rocket is host to the caterpillars of several butterfly species. These include the orange tip (anthocharis cardamines), large white (pieris brassicae) and small white (pieris rapae). They also attract moth caterpillars, such as plutella porrectella.

Medieval uses*

Sweet rocket was used to treat wounds. It was an antidote for insect stings and snakebites. Its leaves, which are rich in vitamin C, were used to prevent or cure scurvy. They could also boost urine and sweat production. It was used in enemas for obstructions of the intestines. When used for medicinal purposes, the leaves are best picked when the flowers are blooming.

*As always, this isn't to be considered medical advice today. Please don't use any plants mentioned in these blogs as medicine without advice from a doctor.

MHG Volunteer Blog 19: Lily of the valley

It's time for the latest blog from our dedicated team of volunteer gardeners at Pontefract Castle.

Find out more about their blog series here.

Another scorcher today! Whilst Dave and Kaiden watered all the planters on site, Carole introduced the Medieval Herb Garden to two new volunteers, Caroline and Louis. There was the necessary admin and health and safety instructions to cover - some of the plants are poisonous and thorny and the garden is on an uneven slope. Then Caroline and Louis got to grips with deadheading the cowslips and lungwort and some general weeding. Carole tackled the over-abundance of hound’s tongue seedlings that had sprung up around the golden rod and put out the notice board to advertise her free MHG talk on Saturday (1pm-3pm).

At this time of year, the woad is looking particularly lovely.

Plant of the Week - Lily of the Valley (convallaria magalis)

The source of the name lily of the valley is unknown but European herbalists have been using it since late in the 16th or 15th century. It is also known by other names such as: conval lily, lady's tears, May bells, May lily, mayflower, muguet, and Our Lady's tears.

Lily of the valley is from the Northern hemisphere of Europe and Asia. It grows to a height and spread of 12 inches. It is a perennial, deciduous and herbaceous plant, meaning it blooms over spring and summer then dies back each winter without leaving any stems above ground.

It has paired, broad, oval, green leaves, 4–10 inches long and has erect stems of up to 12 nodding, bell-shaped, fragrant white flowers. Each bell comprises six purest white tepals (sometimes pink), fused at the base. The edges are turned back with six small scallops. In September the plant may produce small berries that are orange-red.

Lily of the valley usually prefers to grow in full or partial shade and not South-facing. It will grow in any soil as long as it is moist. However, in the MHG it is surviving in full sun, dry soil, and facing South!

Lily of the valley growing in the garden

 Medieval uses*

* (Needless to say, this isn’t to be considered medical advice from us to you today! No herbs mentioned in these blogs should be used as medicine without advice from a doctor.)

Although toxic, in medieval lore, the lily of the valley was celebrated for its ability to improve memory. It was also said to help the heart, and used as a diuretic to make you wee!

The powdered flowers have been said to cause sneezing, and to help in the relief of headache and earache.

An ointment of the root and lard was thought to be good for ulcers and for healing burns and scalds without leaving a scar.

Pontefract's civic fundraising in the Second World War - VE Day 80

The Second World War was incredibly expensive, both in terms of human lives and monetary cost. People across Britain and the Empire dug deep to help out. 

Read on to discover the fantastic contributions of the people of Pontefract, in this special blog for VE Day 80.

Civic fundraising

2025 is the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The war in Europe ended on 8 May 1945, VE Day. In Asia it ended on 15 August 1945, VJ Day.

This was the largest war in history. The human tragedy was terrible. Around 80 million people died.

It was also expensive. By 1945 52% of the British economy was devoted to the war. Today’s equivalent is 2.5%.

This huge cost had to be paid. Ordinary people were one source of money. At the start of the war people across Britain and the Empire gave generously to campaigns like the Spitfire Fund. Jamaica gave so much an RAF squadron was named for it, and it was one Pontefract was later linked to.

A civic fundraising poster from the Second World War

The war cost over £100 million every week. The government needed a continuous supply of money. Compulsory methods, like higher taxes or forced saving, were considered. They were discounted as they could have damaged morale.

Instead, in 1941, the government introduced National Savings. Rather than giving their money, people lent it. They bought small bonds that would be repaid (with interest) after the war.

Local areas organised savings campaigns. Communities had targets and competed to save the most. Individuals and businesses bought bonds. Saving like this rather than spending money also kept inflation low, which was another government goal.

A Certificate of Honour awarded to Westbourne Crescent in Pontefract, in recognition of their fundraising efforts. It is signed by Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of State for Air.

Fundraising each year focussed on a ‘War Week’. Towns concentrated their efforts on a national theme. These included ‘Wings for Victory’ or ‘Warship Week’. Targets were linked to specific aims. This made the saving more real and meant people felt more involved.

Places that met their targets were given commemorative plaques to celebrate their achievements. Smaller groups could also be recognised with certificates.

Pontefract's fundraising weeks

Pontefract’s 4 ‘special weeks’ raised over £1 million.

10-17 January 1941 – ‘War Weapons’

Target £300,000. 

Raised £409,338.

14-21 February 1942 – ‘Warship Week’

Target £200,000, to adopt HMS Unique (a submarine). 

Raised £217,976.

5-12 June 1943 – ‘Wings for Victory’

Target £160,000, for 8 Mosquito bombers. 

Raised £205,263, enough for 10 bombers.

8-15 July 1944 – ‘Salute the Soldier’

Target £167,373, to equip 1 infantry and 1 parachute battalion.

Raised £206,600.

A poster for Pontefract's 'Salute the Soldier' civic fundraising week

Warship Week

Part of the official programme for Pontefract's Warship Week, 1942

The fundraising focus for 1942 was the Navy. Pontefract’s Warship Week was held 14 - 21 February. Pontefract’s target was £200,000. The total raised was £217,976.

Pontefract adopted HMS Unique, a serving submarine. Seven members of the crew came to visit. They went to the races, saw Pontefract Castle, had tea with the fundraising committee, and went to a civic reception with the mayor.

HMS Unique had been in service since September 1940. She spent most of her time patrolling in the Mediterranean, sinking Italian merchant ships.

On 7 October 1942 she left Holy Loch for her 22nd wartime patrol. She was to search the Bay of Biscay for German blockade-runners, in particular the minesweeper Belgrano. The patrol was due to end in Gibraltar on 23 October.

HMS Unique in harbour, image from the Submariners Association

By 24 October she was overdue and reported missing. At the time it was unclear what had happened. Recent research suggests that on 13 October she attacked a damaged German tanker, the Spichern, heading for the French port of St Nazaire. The tanker reported seeing torpedo tracks. Both the Spichern and another British submarine, HMS Ursula, reported hearing explosions.

It seems most likely that one of HMS Unique’s torpedoes was faulty and exploded too soon. This damaged the submarine so badly that it sank, killing all 34 crew.

Pontefract later adopted another submarine, HMS Upstart. This survived the war and was passed to the Greek navy in August 1945.

HMS Unique - names and ages of the crew killed 13 October 1945

• Gwynne Addison Adlard, 21 
• Kenneth Douglas Amos, 22
• Andrew Bartley, 30
• Robert Evelyn Boddington, 26 
• Raymond Walter John Bond, 26
• George Edward Booth, 22
• Benjamin Bowlt, 25 
• William Breen, 26 
• Andrew Birridge Bryson, 30 
• John William Burgess, 19 
• Clifford Chapman, 33 
• Leopold Albert Edward Collins, 37 
• Albert Edward John Denne, 44 
• Stanley Martin Edgar, 19 
• Albert Ernest Fennell, 35 
• Sydney Charlie Frank Fitall, 26 
• Geoffrey George Wesson Frith, 21 
• Ronald Frith, 31 
• Cecil Edward Garner, 23 
• George Henry Holland, 22 
• Anthony Howard Martin, 21 
• Jack Barker Meade, 23 
• Maurice Furness Morten, 22 
• Edward Moss, 27 
• Stanley Munro Niel, 19 
• Charles Ian Reed, 20 
• Leslie John Riley, 23 
• Norman Thewlis, 31 
• Allen Royson Tuck, 38 
• Roy Frederick Howard Turnbull, 23 
• Leonard Jack Venn, 25 
• George Albert Waterhouse, 20 
• Edward John Humphrey Woodman, 21 
• Arthur George Worland, 19

Wings for Victory

Part of the official programme for Pontefract's 'Wings for Victory' civic fundraising week

The fundraising focus in 1943 was the Air Force. Pontefract held a Wings for Victory week 5-12 June. The target was £160,000, but the total raised was £205,263. 

The goal had been for people in Pontefract to save enough to pay for 8 Mosquito Bomber aeroplanes. They raised enough for 10.

Page from the Wings for Victory Savings Committee log book

The new Mosquitoes were sent to 139 (Jamaica) Squadron to equip them as Pathfinders. The squadron was named in recognition of the remarkably generous donations from Jamaica in 1940.

Pathfinders used radio beams to find targets. They could either drop bombs far more accurately than normal bombers, or coloured flares. These flares meant ordinary, less accurate bombers could find also targets, even at night.

Mosquitos of 139 Squadron at an RAF base

New foyer display at Pontefract Museum

We're paying tribute to the incredible fundraising efforts of the people of Pontefract in a new foyer display at Pontefract Museum. It has been specially installed in time for VE Day 80. The display will be here until September 2025.

The display case at Pontefract Museum

Pontefract Museum is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4:30pm and Saturdays, 10:30am to 4:30pm. It is free entry.

MHG Volunteer Blog 18: Forget-me-not

It's time for the latest blog from our dedicated team of volunteer gardeners at Pontefract Castle.

Find out more about their blog series here.

After weeks of sunshine, May Bank Holiday rolls around and it’s back to thermals and fleeces! 

Carole spent the day sorting out the “nursery”. She pricked out seedlings and potted-on cuttings for sale. It was a welcome respite from weeding, which will start again next week.

Seedlings potted-on for sale at Pontefract Castle

She also spent quite a lot of time talking to the visitors who had braved the cold. Most of the conversations were about liquorice. She did enjoy talking to a couple from Swinton about plants in general. They also discussed the sinking of the RMS Titanic, about which the husband was very knowledgeable.

Plant of the Week - Forget-me-not (myosotis symphytifolia)

Myosotis is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family. The name comes from the Ancient Greek for "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. It has many common names such as wood forget-me-not, mouse ear, scorpion grass, bird’s eye, robin’s eye, and love-me.

The forget-me-not is a biennial plant from the Northern hemisphere. It grows to a height of 18 inches. It has alternate grey-green leaves and small bright blue five-lobed flowers with white or yellow centres.  

It will grow in practically any soil type, in any aspect, but prefers moist, but well-drained, soil in partial shade. 

It flowers in late Spring or early Summer. The flowers have a subtle floral smell which is usually only noticeable at night.

Forget-me-nots growing at Pontefract Castle

Culinary uses of Forget-me-nots

Forget-me-nots have a delicate, slightly sweet, and mild floral flavour.  They can be added to salads, or used in cakes and baked goods. They can also be incorporated into syrups or even made into tea.

Folklore and other facts about Forget-me-nots

There are many Christian and folklore explanations about how the plant got its name, and its association with remembrance.

There is a German legend where a knight was walking with his lady near the Danube River and decided to pick the blue flowers for her. While picking the flowers he fell in the river and as he was swept away, he tossed the flowers to his love crying out to her "Forget-me-not!".

It is used in Germany to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the World Wars. This is similar to remembrance poppies in the UK.

In some traditions, it is believed that carrying or wearing forget-me-not flowers can protect against evil spirits and curses. This belief led to the inclusion of forget-me-not flowers in charms, amulets, and talismans for protection, and good fortune.

In this country, many health institutions use the forget-me-not as a symbol. It is used on notes, lists and at the side of beds to highlight that someone has dementia. The forget-me-not is the symbol of the Alzheimer's Society in Britain, New Zealand and the Netherlands.

Forget-me-not is food for the larvae of some lepidoptera species, including the hover fly (sphaerophoria scripta). Its nectar and pollen is enjoyed by bumblebees and butterflies.

Medieval uses*

King Henry IV of England, who owned Pontefract Castle, used this flower symbol as his lucky charm during his exile, as Henry Bolingbroke, in 1398.

In traditional medicine, the whole forget-me-not plant was used.  It was used as a topical application for wounds and eye infections. It treated a variety of other ailments, such as lung problems and nosebleeds. 

*As always, this isn't to be considered medical advice today. Please don't use any plants mentioned in these blogs as medicine without advice from a doctor.