beekeeping history

home

products

ice cream

shows

suppliers

how to order

bottling

about honey

beekeeping history

bee language

Brynderi Honey Farm Blaenwaun
Whitland Carmarthenshire SA34 0JD

Fferm Mêl Brynderi Blaenwaun
Hendy Gwyn Sir Caerfyrddin SA34 0JD

Tel and Fax/Ffôn a Ffacs: 01994 448653 sales@brynderihoneyfarm.com

honey for health

The Ancient World

The art of beekeeping was known to many ancient civilizations.

Relief from the Tomb of Pabasa
used by the kind permission of
Dr Kenneth J. Stein

Greece

Since ancient times, Greece has been famous for its wild thyme honey from Mount Hymettus.

Beekeeping in Britain

Beekeeping has probably existed in Britain since pre-Christian times and was known to the ancient Druids. Since the time of the Romans, dome-shapd hives made of wattle and daub have been in use. These were made from willow or hazel twigs woven together and plastered with cow dung!

Gradually they were replaced by straw skep basket hives. Skep is an old Norse word meaning basket.

Nowadays multi-sectioned hives with separate frames make the beekeeper’s task easier. Even so, a beekeeper may be stung if they do something to upset the bees,

straw ‘skep’
used by kind permission of
Mike Reddy

such as taking their honey! Usually, though, colonies of placid bees will only sting if provoked.

Attack!

During the Middle Ages, attacking and besieging forces hurled beehives among their enemies to ‘encourage’ them to surrender or retreat. Even during the First World, Second World and Vietnam Wars, beehives were attached to trip wires to serve as booby traps.