Just in case you missed some of the information on my Heritage Walk, here are my notes on the Maddermarket, note that brown coloured water tasted better than the black and scarlet water:
The Maddermarket site stands on the location of what was a medieval market that sold scarlet dye called ‘madder’ and this is where the theatre got its name from. The dye was used to colour textiles allegedly first discovered in Tutankhamen’s tomb. It has been called Maddermarket since the 13th century.
Madder is a plant. The root was also used to make medicine. The root was recommended in the treatment of yellow jaundice, obstruction of the spleen, the melancholy humour, palsy, sciatica, and of bruises. Currently can be used for conditions such as kidney stones, menstrual disorders, urinary tract disorders, wound healing, and many others.
The River Wensum is reported to have run red due to the madder dye. In 1850 it was reported that residents near the Duke’s Palace Bridge, were taking their water supply directly below the dye works, and the water was coloured according to the dye being used. People found brown coloured water the best as “the black spoiled the tea and so did the scarlet”!
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