Global aromatics: early modern perfume routes

Throughout the medieval period, various aromatics that could not be grown or produced locally were traded from the Mediterranean. Cultural connections were forged through the movement of plants such as roses, spices such as pepper and ginger, as well as commodities like scented soaps, ointments and perfumes, all of which were travelling along established trade routes. Some of these goods had already travelled long distances to reach Mediterranean ports and markets. Rose water or oil could be used on its own as perfume and as ingredients in remedies. In perfumery, beyond simple scented waters, there was demand for complex fragrances, which combined roses with more costly exotic ingredients such as amber and musk.

These old maps of Europe and Asia show some established trade routes of the 16^th century. Get your bearings by finding Hierusalem (Jerusalem, marked by a red dot) on both maps and follow the trails to see how goods moved east and west by land and sea.

Abraham Ortelius’ Theatrum Orbis Terrarum [Theatre of the Lands of the World] (1603). © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Some places, like Suri in Persia, Damascus in Syria, and Provins in France (east to west, green dots) became famous for their rose products and importance to the rose trade. Until the 19^th century, Provins boasted more apothecaries, dealing in remedies made from roses, than any other type of shop. Apothecaries were the early modern equivalent of present-day pharmacists.

Stratford-upon-Avon had its own place in early modern global trade as a producer of wool for the export market. Merchants who brought the spices and perfumes to England took wool products back with them on the return journey. In the household, powerful scents made from lavender and rose were used to disguise the strong smell of lanolin from wool and for preserving fabric by acting as a moth repellent.