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Home The Plants

Cowslip

Cowslip (Primula veris)

 

Flowers: April to May. Height: 25cm (10in).

 

Gathered since the Middle Ages it was known by various names including Peagle, Primerole, and Cowslyppe, a name thought to be derived from “cow slop” or dung possibly because it grew in meadows and pastures where cattle grazed. Other names were Lady’s Keys, because it unlocked the treasures of spring, and St. Peter’s Wort as the cluster of blossoms on a single stalk resembles a bunch of keys, symbolic of St. Peter.

 

Medicinal: According to Jacob Meydenbach’s Hortus Sanitatis (1491), cowslips were warming and drying in action and rejuvenated the elderly by alleviating suffering associated with the pains and cold of winter. As a soporific tea it was used as a sedative for treating headaches. For treating wounds, the leaves were applied. Cowslip was a favourite of the 12th century German nun and famous herbalist, Hildegard of Bingen and, with its flowers having a fuzzy, lung-like appearance, was used for respiratory ailments.

 

Culinary: A Noble Boke off Cookry (published c1468 – author unknown) gives a recipe for sweet pottage made of primerole and ground almonds. Flower buds were eaten in salads and the young leaves boiled as a potherb.

 

Doctrine of Signatures: The freckled throats of the flowers were an indication of its efficacy in removing spots and pimples from the skin when made into a skin cleansing lotion while the nodding flower heads of the cowslip were a sign of its usefulness against trembling of the limbs.

 

Magic & Myth: Also called Fairy Cup, as fairies were supposed to like nestling in the drooping bell of cowslip flowers.

Cotton Lavender
Creeping Cinquefoil

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What our visitors say about the castle

YorTours – Breathe in Yorkshire
Another brilliant experience on Friday with my pre booked 2 clients from Ohio
Birds of prey on arrival for 3pm falconry display; followed by castle and boars feeding - whilst I had time to feed in your cafe too
Just brilliant - thanks and we always get a genuine warm welcome from all you staff and the ladies in the cafe too !
Warmest regards,
Nick
Visitor March 2025
The visit was very informative and reached back 300 years to show what lives people experienced . The  catering was excellent and varied. Hope to return one day
Emma Benny
To Bolton Castle staff,
My father and I visited Bolton Castle today (Friday 21st July) and I wanted to express our gratitude for the wonderful experience we had. The Castle staff were all so friendly and welcoming.
I was most impressed with the Lad who facilitated the Falconry and Archery. His knowledge on the birds was phenomenal and his presence and confidence during his time showing the birds was wonderful to watch, we were really impressed.
We really appreciated his time spent answering questions and chatting with us and the other Castle guests.
Thank you so much for a great experience.
Visitor March 2025
Well worth a visit Impromptu visit to the castle on our weekend van trip. The castle is easy to find with a good sized car park. The castle is full of history and information for each area telling you stories of the past! The cafe was really nice but the best thing for us was the falconry show at 3pm hosted by Kelly who was absolutely fantastic, enthusiastic and informative!
Dom Bristow

I rarely write emails like this but feel compelled to in this instance. We visited the castle on 29th July, on a weekend when there were a number of volunteers demonstrating and talking about life in a Tudor household. It was absolutely brilliant. The patience of each person to talk us through different aspects of life and the amount of passion they had for the history was astonishing. The few hours we spent there was fantastic and we really want to come back.

I think it was Keith in the kitchen that mentioned they do this on four weekends a year, two for the Tudors and two for another period. Would it be possible to find out when they will be at the castle again?

Keep up the good work and please pass on our praise to the volunteers.

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Bolton Castle
Nr Leyburn
North Yorkshire
DL8 4ET

T: 01969 623981
E: info@boltoncastle.co.uk

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E: dave@timetalks.org.uk

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