Earthly Joys
My Review
This book is one of Miss Gregory's historical novels and is the story of John Tradescant gardener to the rich and royalty. He also manages to get involved in war. It is a rich and moving book, giving a vivid picture of the 1600's.
Earthly Joys
Let me introduce you to John
John Tradescant's first love was gardening, but he also went in for an amazing amount of travelling. On his travels he collected new plants. He has, in fact, changed the look of Britain with the trees he introduced. He became involved in the tulip market. In the 1600's tulip bulbs were highly valued and actually used as currency. John also experienced war at first hand whilst working for the duke of Buckingham, a charismatic figure who had a way of getting his own way, but died at the hands of a knifer. John comes across as a warm, caring man.
John has a son, also called John but known as J to stop confusion. He follows his father into the gardening business.
Read about John Tradescant and See Portraits
- From the Ashmolean
Facts about John Tradescant father and son. - Tradescant Family
Various images
Interesting Facts about the Tulip as Currency
- Dutch Tulip Crash
It is hard today to imagine that tulip bulbs could have been used as currency. - Feast your Eyes on a Thousand Tulips
Give or take a few.
A portrait of one man and his times
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The best line ever:
When dawn came and the sun rose warm on the apple blossoms at six, she did not wake
Postscript of utmost importance
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