Greengages from the garden

 

Greengages from the garden

                                Greengage blossom in the rain

Greengages (Prunus domestica italica) are closely related to plums, but are smaller, rounder and, when ripe, sweeter. They are believed to have originated in Iran and were first brought to England in the 18th century by way of France.

Identifying labels of the tree(s) were lost in transit from France to England, to the home of Sir William Gage, near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. The resulting fruits, which were pale green, were referred to as Gage’s plums, eventually becoming known simply as greengages.

                                    Greengages on the tree

In France, greengages are called ‘Reine Claude.’ The plum was introduced to France during Francis I’s reign and was named ‘Reine Claude’ to honour the wife of King Francis I. Queen Claude was called ‘la bonne reine,’ the good Queen.

Claude of France (1499-1524) was reputed to be a gentle, kind, and virtuous queen, more intent on her charitable works and less interested in politics than some other queens had been. Despite Francis I’s many infidelities, she was a faithful wife to him, bearing seven children. She was married at the age of fourteen, and died when she was twenty-four.

It looks as though a bird may have sampled the gage at the top left! It made no difference - it tasted wonderful!