Photo Credit: Reinhold Möller To say that monarchs have had an effect
on the practice of politics throughout
history is fairly obvious. Less obvious are
the effects monarchs have had on other
aspects of life. This is the start of a series
of ten articles where that very topic will
be explored. First up, is how the desire for
bigger and better strawberries would lead
to the modern varieties we know and love.
on the practice of politics throughout
history is fairly obvious. Less obvious are
the effects monarchs have had on other
aspects of life. This is the start of a series
of ten articles where that very topic will
be explored. First up, is how the desire for
bigger and better strawberries would lead
to the modern varieties we know and love.
History of the Troublesome Berry
Wild strawberries were common in Europe and greatly loved
by monarchs throughout the Middle Ages. However, the
berries were small, hard to harvest, and even harder to
transport - even to fulfill royal desire.
Gardeners were stymied by the strawberry's primary method
of reproduction; cloning. Seeds were rarely viable. Unlike
every other animal or vegetable the humble wild strawberry
refused to be bent to human desire.
Still, its popularity endured. It was a common sight at
monasteries where its trifold leaves reminded the monks of
the Trinity. When King Charles III of France was gifted
several pints of wild strawberries it is said he ennobled the
giver (that the story is likely apocryphal should not distract
from the very real desire for this sweet treat). In 1368, King
Charles V of France had his gardener collect 1,200 runners
for the royal garden in Paris. However, within a few years
nearly half of the plants had stopped producing and no one
could figure out why.
Still, gardeners persisted and there were occasional success.
Everbearing strawberries were discovered and by the 1500s a
cultivated strawberry was even created said to be 10-15 times
the size of wild strawberries. Better but still very small.
Experiments were carried out with wild strawberries from
other parts of Europe. The Capron variety from central
Europe became popular in England due to its cold-tolerance
and lower sunlight requirement but was largely rejected by
the French for its darker colour and general aesthetic.
by monarchs throughout the Middle Ages. However, the
berries were small, hard to harvest, and even harder to
transport - even to fulfill royal desire.
Gardeners were stymied by the strawberry's primary method
of reproduction; cloning. Seeds were rarely viable. Unlike
every other animal or vegetable the humble wild strawberry
refused to be bent to human desire.
Still, its popularity endured. It was a common sight at
monasteries where its trifold leaves reminded the monks of
the Trinity. When King Charles III of France was gifted
several pints of wild strawberries it is said he ennobled the
giver (that the story is likely apocryphal should not distract
from the very real desire for this sweet treat). In 1368, King
Charles V of France had his gardener collect 1,200 runners
for the royal garden in Paris. However, within a few years
nearly half of the plants had stopped producing and no one
could figure out why.
Still, gardeners persisted and there were occasional success.
Everbearing strawberries were discovered and by the 1500s a
cultivated strawberry was even created said to be 10-15 times
the size of wild strawberries. Better but still very small.
Experiments were carried out with wild strawberries from
other parts of Europe. The Capron variety from central
Europe became popular in England due to its cold-tolerance
and lower sunlight requirement but was largely rejected by
the French for its darker colour and general aesthetic.
“I want even the ‘Capron’ plants torn out or at least that no particular
friendliness be held toward them.”
~King's Gardener, early 1700s
Antoine N. Duchesne's Breakthrough
Antoine Nicolas Duchesne was practically raised in the
botanical garden of the Petit Trianon. His father was
superintendent of the royal buildings and friends with the
head gardener. The gardener took a liking to the boy
and Duchesne showed some talent as a gardener. In 1759,
Louis XV ordered all known plants in Europe be brought to
his private collection. As a result, when Duchesne took an
interest in strawberries a few years later he had access to
every variety then known.
On July 6, 1764, 17-year-old Duchesne presented Louis XV
with the largest strawberries the king had ever seen.
Duchesne had combined a South American strawberry with
the reviled Capron variety. The strawberry fields at Trianon
were expanded and it was ordered that the new variety be
added to the king's personal kitchen garden.
The South American variety had already been large and had
been brought back to France by a French spy. In a twist of fate
this spy, named Amédée-François Frézier, was said to be a
descendant of the man who had once gifted his king a few
pints of wild strawberries. However, this South American
variety was not cold-tolerant - a role which the Capron variety
was well-suited to fill. Duchesne came to realize that
strawberries had distinct male and female plants. That is why,
centuries before, the royal gardeners had had such trouble
with cultivating strawberries. As they had pruned out the non-
producing male plants the female plants stopped producing
entirely. By combining the large, but heat-loving, South
American variety with the cold-tolerant, but somewhat ugly
Capron variety, Duchesne created a large strawberry that
could be grown anywheres in Europe - and it quickly was.
Duchesne's discoveries caused a tidal wave of botanical
cooperation as other botanists sent Duchesne strawberry
varieties they had discovered. In 1770 Duchesne published a
book detailing all the strawberry variations then available in
Europe.
The modern strawberry was well-established at this point,
helped along by the French monarchy's great love of the
sweet, red, berry.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
botanical garden of the Petit Trianon. His father was
superintendent of the royal buildings and friends with the
head gardener. The gardener took a liking to the boy
and Duchesne showed some talent as a gardener. In 1759,
Louis XV ordered all known plants in Europe be brought to
his private collection. As a result, when Duchesne took an
interest in strawberries a few years later he had access to
every variety then known.
On July 6, 1764, 17-year-old Duchesne presented Louis XV
with the largest strawberries the king had ever seen.
Duchesne had combined a South American strawberry with
the reviled Capron variety. The strawberry fields at Trianon
were expanded and it was ordered that the new variety be
added to the king's personal kitchen garden.
The South American variety had already been large and had
been brought back to France by a French spy. In a twist of fate
this spy, named Amédée-François Frézier, was said to be a
descendant of the man who had once gifted his king a few
pints of wild strawberries. However, this South American
variety was not cold-tolerant - a role which the Capron variety
was well-suited to fill. Duchesne came to realize that
strawberries had distinct male and female plants. That is why,
centuries before, the royal gardeners had had such trouble
with cultivating strawberries. As they had pruned out the non-
producing male plants the female plants stopped producing
entirely. By combining the large, but heat-loving, South
American variety with the cold-tolerant, but somewhat ugly
Capron variety, Duchesne created a large strawberry that
could be grown anywheres in Europe - and it quickly was.
Duchesne's discoveries caused a tidal wave of botanical
cooperation as other botanists sent Duchesne strawberry
varieties they had discovered. In 1770 Duchesne published a
book detailing all the strawberry variations then available in
Europe.
The modern strawberry was well-established at this point,
helped along by the French monarchy's great love of the
sweet, red, berry.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
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