MHG Volunteer Blog: Week 3

Here's the next blog from our dedicated team of volunteer gardeners at Pontefract Castle.

Find out more about their blog series here.

20 January 2025

Today it was bitterly cold again at the castle. The main garden was still a bit sticky in places so I started on weeding the top of the dry-stone wall, below the keep. I say “started” as that is a lot of wall! At least you can see where I’ve been.

If not for the cold, today would have been perfect weather for weeding, as the weeds and grass came up easily. All I had to do was make sure I didn’t disturb the saffron leaves that are left over from autumn.

In the main Medieval Herb Garden there are signs of new growth all around, assuming they survive the forecasted snow of next week.

As the flowers are still in fairly short supply this week, we are going to put the spotlight on one of our ever-popular evergreens.

Plant of the week: Bay Laurel Tree, Sweet Bay (laurus nobilis)

Leaves of the bay tree growing at Pontefract Castle

This evergreen shrub / tree is originally from the mediterranean region. It has a life span of at least 50 years. It will grow in any moist, well-drained soil type (between 4.5 – 8.3 pH). It likes the sun, but it must be sheltered from cold winds! (The bay tree near the gatehouse has been hit by these recently). 

If left unpruned, this tree can reach a height of 60ft and a spread of 20ft. It usually flowers in the Spring. The flowers are small, yellow and unisexual (they have only male or only female parts). The flowers grow in small clusters, and eventually form small berries. Bay tree leaves can be harvested throughout the year, and can be used both green and dried.

Folklore

Apollo was the Greek god of wisdom and the arts. He wore a wreath of bay leaves on his head. Since then, the laurel wreath has been linked with academic achievement. Today's term 'poet laureate' comes from the Latin for laurel.

The modern term 'bachelor', given for university degrees, is probably derived from the French 'bachelier' (laurel berry).

The Latin for laurel berry, ‘bacca laureus’ is also the basis of a type of academic examination taken in some schools, the baccalaureate.

For centuries, bay leaves have been placed in foods to deter insects and meal moths. In both Greece and Italy, bay leaves are commonly packed-in with dried fruit, especially dried figs.

Bay leaves have also been used as an insect repellant. Placed in the corner or a room, they can help to deter cockroaches.

Witches and devils are also supposedly repelled by bay leaves!

The Narrow Leaf Bay Laurel in the Medieval Herb Garden

Medieval uses*

In cooking, bay leaves are most commonly used whole. They are used as a dry leaf in soups and stews, sauces and ragouts, and removed before eating. Cooked bay leaves smell of balsam, honey and hints of spice. The peak of the bay’s aroma is between three days and a week after it has been picked. This brief drying time concentrates the oils.

This herb contains more than 80 identified chemicals. These include calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, vitamin A, vitamin B6, Vitamin C, riboflavin and zinc. However, they didn't know this in the medieval period!

Bay leaves had many traditional medical uses. Respiratory infections, digestive problems and bruises were all treated by bay leaves. It was also used against stings, poisons and all “cold griefs”.

* (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.)

We currently have two common bay trees near the Medieval Herb Garden. We also have a more specialised Narrow Leaf Bay Laurel (laurus nobilis f.angustifolia) within the garden itself.  See if you can spot it on your next visit!

Find out more about the Medieval Herb Garden here

Visitor information for Pontefract Castle