Saffron Waldon of The Saffron Thief

Submitted: 19th June 2026

Saffron Waldon of The Saffron Thief

After reading The Saffron Thief and finding out about the saffron trade during the time of the Great Fire of London, I wanted to know more….

The Saffron Thief T L Mogford

So….

On the (Book) Map

Come with me on a visit to Saffron Walden!

The market today -where they probably sell saffron…..

Saffron Walden is a market town in Essex, England, 15 miles (24 km) south of Cambridge and 43 miles (69 km) north of London. It’s a small affluent place that still retains many of the buildings of the medieval period. You can imagine it being at the heart of the saffron trade with its merchant houses and symbol of Saffron everywhere.

Cross Keys hotel which looks like the buildings at the time of the Saffron trade

Apprently it was known as Walden which means market – A Tuesday market was held from 1295, and this made it very popular and increased its status. Much later, in the 16th/ 17th century the saffron crocus started to be widely grown. The flower was used for many things such as medicine and perfume and…erm….as an aphrodisiac.

Even the museum of the small town looks grand….

The novel is set in 1666, at a time when England’s saffron industry is booming, with the spice fetching a staggering £4 per pound—rivalling gold. But then the Great Fire of London is just around the corner…

The town hall has got to be the original!

Debut is going to make someone make some very bad decisions…..

I hope you enjoyed your little visit to this small but very floral and historic part of England!

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