David Marsh online talk: "Mistletoe & the Druids"

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Mistletoe would it? Bringing in greenery when everything else in nature has withered or died, to decorate buildings during midwinter festivals is a custom of great antiquity. Plants like Holly, Ivy & Mistletoe were symbols of undying life, yet while holly and ivy are often referred in carols and documents from the mediaeval period, there is very little about mistletoe until the 18thc.

Once you start exploring the history of mistletoe it becomes more and more complex and lost in a web of legends. But how did it became to be associated with Druids? This talk tells the story of the plant and the man who almost singlehandedly invented most of what we think we know about the Druids…and that includes mistletoe too!

Dr. David Marsh is a distinguished garden historian, lecturer, and writer, known for his extensive work in the field of garden history. He holds a PhD in Garden History from Birkbeck College and has been involved in various educational initiatives, including co-convenering seminars at the Institute of Historical Research and chairing the Education, Publications and Communications Committee of the Gardens Trust. His engaging lectures and writings have made him a prominent figure in the study and appreciation of gardens and landscapes.

The event is organised by Nottinghamshire Gardens Trust. If you would like to find out more about us, please visit our website at https://nottsgt.org/.