Warden Pears

The Cistercian Abbey of Warden also gave its name to the Warden Pear which was used in pies, known as Warden pies. In Shakespeare's 'The Winter's Tale', the Clown says:

'I must have saffron the colour of Warden pies'.

In the old song 'I am a Friar of Orders Grey' are the words:

'Myself by denial I mortify… with a dainty bit of Warden pye'

Later, the name came to signify any long-keeping cooking pear, but it is thought that the variety which gave rise to the name is one which is now called the Black Worcester or Parkinson's Warden.

In 'The Fruit Manual' (1884),

'the Red Warden and Spanish Warden are reckoned among the most excellent pears either to bake or to roast for the sick or for the sound. The Spanish Warden still exists as a choice baking pear'.

The arms of Warden Abbey appear on our wine labels - a shield with three Warden pears.