PoetryPix
depictions by the rule of thirds; descriptions mostly freestyle words
the Pepperers
Nothing to sneeze at
though we grind them down without much thought
yet on such spicy seeds empires were made
fortunes favoured
a school for clever East end London boys*
riches from clove and pepper trade
came sailing from the Indies in the East
The Guild of Pepperers formed in 1180 & joined by the Spicers in 1386. As wholesale merchant traders dealing en gros were incorporated in 1428 as the Worshipful Company of Grocers.
*My husband attended the Grocers Grammar school : What made an education at ‘the Jewish Eton’ so special?
44 words of British history for this Quadrille #35: “Pepper“
34 Comments on “the Pepperers”
MY OTHER BLOG
We forget that fortunes and lives were at stake in the spices we take so for granted. Nice work.
LikeLike
Trade winds made and lost fortunes – still does!
LikeLike
Interesting history. I didn’t know the word “grocer” was associated with the pepper trade long ago.
LikeLike
Interesting history hence the coat of arms includes 9 cloves and a camel
LikeLike
Love the opening line and the poems sails on from there.
LikeLike
Glad you picked up on rhythm and roots 🙂
LikeLike
Interesting…I knew of East India Company but not the “Worshipful Company of Grocers”!
LikeLike
Grand names these old guilds
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worshipful_Company_of_Grocers
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like learning history 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
“spicy seeds empires” is fantastic.
LikeLike
A province in a pepper pot!
LikeLike
A read enriched by historic context and your fine wit.
LikeLike
many thanks Kerry for your kind appreciation 🙂
LikeLike
That’s one familiar sight, nearby my sis-in-law’s. I’m afraid in those days the Thames was nevertheless more pungent than all spices of the Indies put together. Thanks for the brief journey into the past!
LikeLike
I remember that but not ‘the great stink’ of 1858 – now there are all sorts in the Thames
http://londonist.com/2014/11/what-lives-in-the-thames
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read it all. Thanks for the link. Very interesting — the historical stuff and this. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
“spicy seeds empires” …is absolutely brilliant! 🙂
LikeLike
And true!
LikeLike
You had me with the first line! A history lesson in a quadrille! I always learn something new at dVerse and you’ve provided the lesson today. Great take on the prompt!
LikeLike
Glad you enjoyed this potted history Lilian – thank you
LikeLike
Love this… so interesting and how many fortunes that was made in trade of spices… I feel that many times pepper and spices was almost the same… in Swedish ginger bread is called pepper cookies.
LikeLike
A tasty way to pep up cookies 🙂
LikeLike
I enjoyed this play on peppery words, Laura, and the bit of history from the East End!
LikeLike
Thanks for the prompt Kim – took me a while to warm up on this one but a country walk helped with inspiration
LikeLiked by 1 person
Educational – and witty too. 🙂
LikeLike
Love that combo Rosemary ❤
LikeLike
Interesting connections — I knew none of that
LikeLike
from pepper plant to pot has a long way to travel though time and space 😉
LikeLike
Where salt is an essential enhancer and sugar a sensual flood, pepper’s a third rail, more delicately and judiciously applied: a hazier empire perhaps, about the added pop that clarifies essence.
LikeLike
wow Brendan – lets not forget the effects of nutmeg either
LikeLike
Enjoyed this little glimpse into history.
LikeLike
thank you Victoria
LikeLike
A bit of wonderful history for our spicy palettes. Your first line is so true. From the salt trade to spices, it changed the world of trade and discovery of neighboring countries. So many things we take for granted in modern times. Loved your quadrille. ❤
LikeLike
I like the spicy palettes – might apply to next post too 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person