[Sca-cooks] Saffron in Ireland

[ranvaig at columbus.rr.com]

>Saffron is native to the Eastern Mediterranean (Asia Minor primarily).  The
>Romans brought it to Northern Europe and England, but use there declined as
>the Empire collapsed.  The Moors reintroduced saffron to Europe during the
>Islamic expansion and probably also introduced saffron to India.  BTW, in
>the Medieval period, "Indian saffron" was tumeric.
>
>I don't recall any Irish Crusaders, so that part of the tale is suspect.  In
>Roman times, the Irish may have taken saffron in raids on England, but a
>steady supply most likely only became available after 1171, when Henry II
>claimed Ireland, opening eight centuries of trade and travail between
>England and Ireland.
>
>IIRC, McClintock in Old Irish and Highland Dress mentions saffron dyes in
>relation to Irish clothing from about the 15th Century, but it has been
>several years since I casual read the book nad my memory may be faulty.

I found references connecting Saffron in Cornwall to the Phoenicians, 
but I'm not sure there is actual proof of this.

Our group plays Ireland circa 1004, so if it was brought by the 
Normans, that is too late for us.

Ranvaig