THE MEDLEVAL PLEASAUNCE 97 



" Behind the turf was planted a quantity of aromatic 

 and medicinal herbs, for example, rue, sage, and basil, 

 whose perfume would rejoice the sense of smell ; then 

 certain flowers, such as the violet, ancolie, lily, rose, 

 iris, and others similar, which by their diversity 

 charmed the eye and excited the admiration." Finally, 

 at the extremity of the turf in the space reserved for 

 flowers there was raised a seat formed of earth and 

 covered with grass and flowers, where one could " rest 

 one's body and refresh one's spirit." 



The orchard in those days contained, besides a 

 variety of fruit trees, herbs for medicinal and culinary 

 purposes and a few flowers, also fountains, seats, and 

 the other architectural features of the pleasaunce. 

 Many fruit trees are said to have been imported from Fruit trees 

 France, especially in the thirteenth century, and hence origin, 

 were known by French names. Among the varieties 

 of pears were the rule or regul, the passe-pucelle, 

 and the caloel or caillou. Pearmain and costard 

 apples were probably also of French origin. Cherries 

 had been reintroduced at the time of the Norman 

 Conquest. Peaches, medlars, quinces, and chestnuts 

 were commonly cultivated and imported from abroad. 



Grafting was a craft well understood. Scions of Grafting, 

 ten or twelve distinct varieties of trees were grown 

 upon an oak stock. Vines were grafted on cherries 

 and plums on vines. 



