Translated into Anglo-Saxon around the year 1000, a collection of medicinal remedies known as the Old English Herbarium enjoyed wide popularity throughout Western Europe from the fifth century well into the Renaissance. In addition, the editio princeps contains the first in-stance of a botanical woodcut. This book presents for the first time an up-to-date and easy-to-read translation of a medical reference work that was used in Western Europe from the fifth … Phil. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 31, Frasinella; later note, f. 31v, Convallaria Polygonutum [Solomon’s seal]; f. 33, Tav. 55, plant with long billed bird, Chartame; later note, f. 56v, Carthamei tinctorii [safflower? 42, graceful plant with small leaves and pink-orange flowers; later note, f. 42v, Stachis erecta; f. 44, Tav. (2002). The orchids on ff. ); most plants are shown with their roots, and in a few plates the herb is set into a green lawn (ff. Watkins, F. (2013). Cameron, M.L. It is possible that all of the illustrations were originally identified at the very bottom of each page, and these annotations are now lost; it seems equally possible that the illustrations were originally without text of any kind. Nonetheless, these manuscripts are part of the tradition that the illustrator of our Herbal drew upon. For those who do not read or write Old English and/or Latin, a number of critical editions and/or translations of the herbal texts are available albeit some may seem somewhat antiquated, particularly Cockayne’s rendition of Bald’s Leechbook for which there is currently no contemporary translation. ], early hand, spinace [spinach]; f. 56, Tav. Compiled from a number of sources, the images vary in their degree of naturalism, but certainly present a sensitive portrayal of plants predating the printed manuals by Brunfel (1530-6) and Fuchs (1542), which are often heralded as turning points in the history of botanical illustration. Lat. Medieval Manuscripts Provenance, weekly notes and observations https://mssprovenance.blogspot.co.uk/, http://medieval-manuscripts.blogspot.co.uk/, Use of medieval manuscripts and modern research by the author. Leechdoms, wortcunning, and starcraft of early England: Being a collection of documents, for the most part never before printed, illustrating the history of science in this country before the Norman Conquest. ]; f. 7, Tav. 26, Adianto, below, earlier hand: Adiantori vel Galiticori vel politicium; later note, f. 26v, Adiantum Capillus Veneris [maidenhair fern]; f. 28, Tav. 70, bulb with two animals, early hand, satirion, later hand, Colchicum autumnali; later note, f. 68v, Colchicum Autumnale [autumn crocus or meadow saffron]; f. 70, Tav. 56, plant with small flowers with dragon [? This item: Medieval Herbal: A facsimile of a 15th century illustrated manuscript by Palatino Press Paperback $43.98 In Stock. 408-415. PhD (Pharmacognosy) from the Medicines Research Group, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, UK. (1955). Another substantial herbal text in Old English is Bald’s Leechbook (BL, Royal MS 12 D, XVII), a copy of an earlier exemplar believed to have been compiled for physicians to the royal household. This is a slow attempt at a comprehensive list of ancient and antique herbals; as well as a few medical and modern day titles. 86, feathery plant with animal; later note, f. 84v, pimpinella [? It publicises all aspects of the Library's work on western manuscripts produced before 1600, including our digitisation and cataloguing projects, exhibitions and publications. ]; f. 49, Tav. Scragg, D. (2012). An introductory guide to the main primary sources for studying early medieval herbal remedies in Old English texts. (1957). herbal in the strict sense of the term, both the manuscript copies and printed editions were embellished with a rich sequence of botanical images, resulting in a work that bears many affinities to the typology of the herbal. ]; f. 25, Tav. 43, realistically depicted ginger, retouched; later note, f. 43v, Asarum Europeum; f. 45, Tav. 54, plant with dog, Rosmerinum; later note, f. 55v, Rosmarinus officinalis [rosemary]; f. 57, Tav. It seems more likely, however, that the differences reflect the source of the image. with seedlings), Lingua Lepenlia; later note, f. 27v, Conyza quarrosa [sic, for squarrosa]; f. 29, Tav. ]; f. 6, Tab. Some plants are shown with animals, probably decorative (i.e.