Florentine Iris at the Shakespeare Garden

Iris germanica ‘Florentina’

“I would I had some flower o’the spring that might

Become your time of day; …

… lilies of all kinds,

The flower-de-luce being one!

-Perdita (The Winter’s Tale Act IV, Scene IV)

The Florentine iris was adopted as a heraldic symbol by Louis VII of France in the 12th century.  Its name has modified from fleur-de-Louis to fleur-de-luce, and finally fleur-de-lis.  It remains a common heraldic symbol today.

This iris is a perennial that loves the sun and humus rich soil.  Blooming late spring to summer, it can reach nearly 30 inches in height and flourishes a white flower with hints of blue and lavender and a yellow beard. According to John Gerard, who was responsible for an early translation of a botanical reference, the uses of its “knobbie rootes” ranged from combatting bad breath to sweetening clothing.

Shakespeare might have seen these as wild by the River Avon when he was courting Anne Hathaway.  The iris seems to have met with dual representation from Shakespeare. He often uses fluer-de-luce as an interchange for lily, but also uses the term iris. Many scholars believe his reference to iris is more likely the Greek goddess of the rainbow.  In a variety of quotations, the iris represents harmony and reconciliation but also sorrow and woe.  As the fleur-de-luce, many of the references hold political allusions.

Shakespeare references to fleur-de-luce:

  • Messenger speaking at Henry V funeral:

    “Awake, awake, English nobility!

    Let not sloth dim your honors new begot.

    Cropped are the flower-de-luces in your arms;

    Of England’s coat, one half is cut away.”

  • Joan LaPucelle speaking:

    “I am prepared; here is my keen-edged sword

    Deck’d with fine flower-de-luces on each side.”

  • York speaking:

    “A scepter shall it have, have I a soul,

    On which I’ll toss the Flower-de-luce of France.”

  • Henry speaking:

    “What sayest thou, my fair

    Flower-de-luce?”

Shakespeare references to Iris:

  • Countess of Rossillion speaking:

    “What’s the matter,

    That this distempered messenger of wet,

    The many coloured iris, rounds thine eye?”

  • Wooer speaking:

    “…about her stuck

    Thousand freshwater flowers of several colours

    That she appeared, methought, like the fair nymph

    That feeds the lake with waters, or as iris

    Newly dropped down from heaven.”

  • Ulysses speaking:

    “Who broils in loud applause, and make him fall

    His crest that prouder than blue iris bends.”

  • Queen Margaret speaking:

    “To France, sweet Suffolk; let me hear from thee;

    For whosoe’er thou art in this world’s globe,

    I’ll have an iris that shall find thee out. “