The  Herbularius
In Europe, during the Middle Ages, Herbularius, Physic Garden, or Les Simples were all names given to the area of the garden where the medicinal herbs were grown.  The plot typically held rectangular beds, each dedicated to a separate plant. Herbs were an essential of the everyday,  the lifestyle for the Medieval European.  Plants were the calendar by which they judged the passing of the seasons, they were made into clothing, houses, food, ale, and wine. The people healed and poisoned with herbs, cleaned with them, and used them to become closer with God.  There is no aspect of Medieval life that can not be approached through plants.   Medicinal herbs, household herbs, and cooking herbs were used interchangeably.  Sweet Fennel, Lemon balm, and Basil useful as "strewing herbs" to be tossed on the earthen floors of dwellings for fragrance and insecticide could and were also used herbal remedies.   The Madonna lily (Lilium candidum) cured snakebite in the physical self while also being useful in spiritual self to lift emotions.

Below, view a list of the Medieval species of medicinal herbs grown at the Benedictine Farm Herbularius:
The Hortus
The Hortus , Utilitarian Garden or Kitchen Garden are all common names given to the area where vegetables were grown.  In our Hortus we grow a variety of popular medieval vegetable species. Some of which are listed in Charlemagne's Capitulare de Villis Imperialibis, a plan outlining the plants that would ideally be included in estate and monastery gardens throughout his empire.  Raised beds made from planks or woven hazel were often times used and have become a defining feature of gardens during the Middle Ages.

Below, view a list of vegetables growing in the
Benedictine Farm Hortus:
Hortus Conclusus 
Hortus Conclusus translates to Enclosed Garden in Latin. Contemplative or Sensory Garden are also names used to describe this idyllic area defined in Medieval Gardens.  Having this area closed off from society was both symbolic and practical.  It was a mode of self protection, by turning away from the outside world and chaos of human affairs so that one may focus labor inward to self reflection; a tidy garden in which divine order could be meditated upon without distraction. The enclosed aspect keeps one connected to the locus amoenus with the only visible exterior landscape being the heavens. It is a place to contemplate, pray and engage the senses to God's 'fragrant gifts'.  Scents were regarded as material substances in vapor form so that when inhaled they would work on the heart and brain to balance the four humors. The Hortus Conclusus displays the highly symbolic view of flowers during the High Middle Ages.  Each aspect of plant life paid homage to the Chirstian world in which they were living, commonly depicted in paintings ,poetry and literature of the the time.
In its practical use, the wall protected person and plant from animals and intruder.
 
Below, view a list of Flowers, herbs and their symbolic meaning growing at Benedictine's Enclosed Garden:
The Hens and Their House
At Benedictine Farm,  we support and practice caring for, multiplying and utilizing heritage breed chickens.  Our breeds include the Dorking chicken,  originally brought to England in 54 BC by the legions of Julius Caesar, Golden Penciled Hamburgs, which date back to 14th century Holland and Speckled Sussex. These breeds could have been found running the Medieval landscape. Here, they are free range,  raised on organic herbs and vegetables from our gardens and homemade chicken feed.
Benedictine Farm is a member of the Livestock Conservancy based in North Carolina. 
Young Orchard 
The Orchard formed the 'Pleasaunce' of the early Middle Ages; a region of the garden with the purpose of giving pleasure to the senses by blossom, scent, shade and produce.  In the warm months medievalist used the orchard to enjoy games,  dance, song, and rest after gatherings.  The Enclosed Garden replaced this area of pleasure in the High Middle Ages. 

Below, view a list of trees in our Orchard:
The Flowering Mead 

One of the poets of the popular Medieval poem, "Roman de la Rose" (13thc.) notes how "the surface of the Earth was artfully decorated and painted with flowers of various colors and the sweetest perfumes"
Medieval gardens can not fully be understood without some appreciation of the countryside within they existed. 
The flowering mead, meadow, or lawn was a collaboration between man, nature and God.  They were often found with a small private place to sit and contemplate; a bench made from sod under a shade baring tree.  They were celebrated in life, paintings, and most famously, tapestries of the 15th century.
  The recreated Flowering Mead at Benedictine Farm is depicted from the 15th century Mille-fleur (thousand flower) tapestry "The Three Fates".  It is part of a collection of tapestries based on Petrarch's poem, The Triumphs, written in the 14th century. The subject of these poems is the triumph of Love, Chasity, Death, Fame, Time and Eternity over one another. 
Here is to Petrarch. 

Below, view a list of the flowers in our Meadow:
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