HERB - Re: Culpepper and beginning period books

[RAISYA@aol.com]

Moira
  
>>I have perhaps a very stupid question - but are not Culpepper and Gerard
>>primary sources or am I mistaken?

Agnes replied 
>Please ask stupid questions, make everyone clarify their thinking.

I agree entirely, though I'm of the view that the only stupid questions are 
ones that remain unasked :).

Kingdoms vary in their interpretation of what sources are period and what 
aren't, and it can vary from judge to judge as well.  Recently in Ansteorra, 
we've pretty much decided that the "primary" and "secondary" classification 
is counterproductive.  There are lousy primary sources and outstanding 
secondary and even tertiary sources.  So, we're looking for "preferred" 
sources:  good quality, reliable material.  Harvey's book on Mediaeval 
Gardening would be a very preferred source, he's a highly respected expert in 
the field, if not the leading expert.  Aunt Minnie's Country Gardens 
(completely fictional name) that includes a couple of redacted period recipes 
and a simplified redrawing of a late period garden painting would probably 
cause a bit more concern.

Myself, I want A&S to remain fun for people, to encourage people to explore 
as many aspects of medieval life as possible.  Even research can be fun, a 
kind of voyage of exploration.  I have a friend who does research when she 
feels someone has made an "everyone knows" statement to an artisan that 
doesn't make sense to her.  Then, if she finds an answer, she takes it to the 
artisan and shows them how to better support their position.  She doesn't do 
it to show someone up as wrong, she just enjoys the challenge.

Raisya
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