MEDIEVAL USE OF GENISTA TINCTORIA

Dyer’s Greenweed,   Dyer’s Broom

• Extensivly cultivated in C12, C13, C14 for it’s clear yellow dye
• Seeds found in C12 dye area of  Winchester and Bristol.
• Botanical remains from coppergate York, late Viking early middle ages.
• Greatest value appears to be for making greens in conjunction with Woad ( sometimes called ‘Woadwaxen’)
• Used in North-west in recipes for ‘Kendal Green’
• Use of Genista dwindled when Quercitron from Americas became dominant.

METHOD

• Adjective dye – requires mordant
• With alkalie additives – Lime, Urine, Ammonia, for fast colours for tapestries.
• Cooler ,greener yellow than Weld.
• Use flowering tops and leaves, using flowers only gives brilliant fully saturated
•  lemon yellow.
• Used in conjunction with Dogwood (corniola) and weld in medieval recipes.
• Old recipes recommend lengthy steeping in mordant – 24hrs, and cooling in dyebath.
• Olive greens with Ferrous sulphate (iron)

PLANT   DETAILS

• Native of N. Europe
• Belongs to pea family
• Forms a delicate bush with small leaves and bright yellow flowers.
• Likes well-drained soil,  cool spring.