Question-Kendel Green-Sir W.Scott

[Mr.Charles Anthony]

Readers;
I have picked up S.W.Scotts "Ivanhoe" for the 2nd time-the first in circa 1964. In the Light of All Things Kilt- what does the Readership make of the following sentence(page #14) "The Kendal Green though its date is more antient(ancient), ought surely to be as dear to our(Scottish)feelings as the variegated tartans of the North''.
Thus, 'what is Kendal Green'. should Lowlanders wear the Kendal Green kilt in leiu of the 'standard tartans' patterns, if your family is Lowland,rather than a 'universal sett'. Since tartans are at least 17th century, how far back does the Green thus go?
The thoughts of the Experienced are sought by;
Mr.C.Anthony

[Bugbear]

I looked it up in the digital copy I have. Picking all that apart would be quite a task, but I wanted to see what the context of that statement was. I read on passed page 16 and found this paragraph:

Still the severer antiquary may think, that, by thus intermingling fiction with truth, I am polluting the well of history with modern inventions, and impressing upon the rising generation false ideas of the age which I describe. I cannot but in some sense admit the force of this reasoning, which I yet hope to traverse by the following considerations.

And he goes on, and on, and on...

I just don't trust Scott as a source of historical information, however, he is an interesting source of historical mythologies relating to Scotland. I know very little more than that, but if you can produce other sources that are primary, it would be nice.

[Mr.Charles Anthony]

Bugbear;
This is the first reference I have seen. But a check of the term tells us -'a course woolen fabric similiar to tweed' in green of course.
My thought was "Kendal Green" became named "Lovat Green" which I have seen kilts offered for sale therein.
Lets see what other 'bites' we get. Thanks
CSA

[Bugbear]

On second thought, never mind.

[chrisupyonder]

I remenber Kendal Green cloth from my many visits to the town of Kendal years ago.

Found this on t'net...

Kendal Green
Green cloth for foresters; so called from Kendal, Westmoreland, famous at one time for this manufacture. Kendal green was the livery of Robin Hood and his followers. In Rymer's Faedera (ii. 83) is a letter of protection, dated 1331, and granted by Edward III. to John Kempe of Flanders, who established cloth-weaving in the borough.

Also...

“How couldst thou know these men in Kendal green, when it was so dark thou couldst not see thy hand?” —Shakespeare: 1 Henry IV., ii. 4.

And...

A shade of green produced by a dye extracted from the woadwaxen plant.

See: http://www.prcupcc.org/herbs/herbsw/woadwaxen.htm

Note: I always thought Robin Hood was in Lincoln Green.

Chris.

[Tobus]

Thus, 'what is Kendal Green'. should Lowlanders wear the Kendal Green kilt in leiu of the 'standard tartans' patterns, if your family is Lowland,rather than a 'universal sett'.

Considering that the kilt is Highland garb, and was never the dress of Lowlanders of yore, I would think that it would be a rather anachronistic combination to wear a kilt of Kendal Green in an attempt to honour this sentiment. That is to say, Kendal Green may have established provenance in the Lowlands, but probably not in the form of a kilt. It might be a nice modern nod to this fabric, though, especially if it were to become an iconic Lowland version of the new pan-Celtic icon, the kilt. Much like the Irish saffron kilt.

[madmacs]

And whilst on the subject of Kendal, why not mention another of its claims to fame worth checking out (if you're not diabetic) Kendal mint cake...

[chrisupyonder]

And whilst on the subject of Kendal, why not mention another of its claims to fame worth checking out (if you're not diabetic) Kendal mint cake...

And the best place to eat it is overlooking Scafell from the summit of Bowfell. Thats me about 40 years ago.



Another bit of history regarding Kendal Green from...

http://www.thecumbriadirectory.com/T...php?url=kendal

Kendal's prosperity came from the wool trade. Begun in the 13th century, the trade flourished in the 14th century when Flemish weavers came to the area. From this time through the 19th century there were many mills on the River Kent. The town's motto ‘pannus mihi panis’ (wool is my bread) relates to ‘Kendal Green’, a rough, hardwearing material worn by Kendal archers.

I do not think it was ever used for kilts and Kendal is several hundred miles south of the Highlands.

Chris.

[madmacs]

Nice cloud inversion...

[figheadair]

I'd not heard of Kendel Green until the OP but am familiar with Lincoln Green and have dye with both Weld and Woad.

I agree entiely with the comments about Scott's historical accuracy - take a large pinch of salt.

Ditto those about the historical use of a Kendel Green in a kilt.

Although the colour is often mentioned in connection with Robin Hood in truth there would/could never have been one specific shade because of the vagaries of working with indigo (woad) and the fact that the yellow will fade over time. In reality there would probably have been as much variation in Kendel/Lincoln Green as there is in Buddist Monks' Saffron Robes.

Weld was also used in Highland dyeing where it was known as Lus na con - Dog flower.