The mulberry tree in the garden of Lamb House (shown above) has been cut back in order to help it recover from one of those diseases which can inflict trees from time to time, but I assume it will recover and that the problem is not terminal – or otherwise the tree would have been removed completely.
As shown right, when Richard Crowest was doing one of his summer readings in the Lamb House garden, the mulberry once extended far and wide, providing summery shelter to both the audience and the reader.
It is said that one of the house’s memorable owners planted the mulberry, but others say it was one of those planted on the order of Queen Elizabeth in 1573.
Rye was frequently, over a very long period, a refuge for Huguenots from France fleeing religious persecution, some of whom worked with silk; and it is said that Queen Elizabeth ordered the planting of mulberries to guarantee food for the silk worms to ensure manufacturing continued of the new material.
For more information read Councillor Jo Kirkham’s booklet “Huguenots in Rye and Winchelsea” which can be obtained from the East Street Museum and possibly also in the Heritage Centre on Strand Quay which has many books about Rye’s long and interesting history.
Image Credits: Seana Lanigan .