HERB - Re: Brother Cadfael's Herb Garden

[Jenne Heise]

> Brother Cadfael's Garden is a modern book about Period herbalism (as
> written in the Brother Cadfael mysteries).  I think its about the only
> such book out there (in print): one you could recommend to people
> interested in learning about  Medieval herbalism but not interested in
> being herbalists.

Actually, it is not. It is a summary of herbalism as presented in the
Brother Cadfael fictional works. I don't find it very good because it
doesn't give good overviews of what things were used for, it concentrates
on them as used in the Bro. Cadfael books.
 
> Otherwise we have technical modern books, or Period herbals.  Summaries
> of the Medieval herbalism are few and far between.

Clipped from my books listing:

Bayard, Tania. Sweet Herbs and Sundry Flowers. (NY, Metropolitan Museum,
1985) 
Information about medieval herbs and herb gardens, specifically with
reference to the gardens of the Cloisters museum in New York
City. 

Clarkson, Rosetta. Green Enchantment: The Golden Age of Herbs and
Herbalists. (New York, Macmillan, 1940). ISBN: 0-02-009
461-2. 
Currently out of print but well worth the out of print search.  Includes
material from examinations of period herbals and texts that no-one
seems to be able to consult today. Begins with a section on the monastery
garden, followed by materials on different herbs (not all of
them period), flowers in the garden, and the history of gardening. The
illustrations are good, and most of the material referenced is
footnoted or clearly identified as to source. Excellent background
material. 

Clarkson, Rosetta. The Magic of Herbs: A modern chronicle of herbs, and
savory seeds, Chapters XIV - XVI. (New York:
Macmillan, 1939). ISBN: 0-02-030976-7. 
Covering to a wonderful extent the medicinal, food, and scent uses of
herbs, with a definite emphasis on history-- especially early printed
books. The sections on Pomanders and on Sachets have the best
documentation I have found on such things, though more original
recipes are included in Rohde's _Scented Garden_. The information is
clearly referenced. Some chapters are divided by herb or
vegetable; others are groupings by type of material. Illustrations are
very useful and apposite, and period references are included. 

Freeman, Margaret. Herbs for the Medieval Household: for cooking, healing
and divers uses. (Metropolitian Museum of Art, 1943)
ISBN: 0-87099-776-9 
Information on period herbs, including some period recipes. 

Garland, Sarah The complete book of Herbs and Spices: an illustrated guide
to growing and using culinary, aromatic, cosmetic
and medicinal plants, especially chapters on "History and Traditions,"
"Household herbs and spices," "Distillation techniques and herb
scents." (Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest, 1993). ISBN: 0-89577-499-2. 

Wellcome, Henry S. Anglo-Saxon Leechcraft. (?: Rose & Nef, 1992) ISBN:
1877934046 [originally published by Wellcome, 1912) 
This small pamphlet describes both Anglo-Saxon surgery and some of their
pharmaceutical practices. Though more medical than herbal,
an essential resource for early period. 

Wilson, C. Anne. Food and drink in Britain. (Chicago : Academy Chicago
Publishers, 1991) 
>From pre-history to about the 19th century, with special attention to the
middle ages and renaissance. Good information on herbs and
spices used in cookery. 

THere are a few others, which I don't currently have in my bibliography.
I'll post them as I come across 'em.

-- 
Jadwiga Zajaczkowa, mka Jennifer Heise	      jenne at tulgey.browser.net
disclaimer: i speak for no-one and no-one speaks for me.
"There's no use in talking when there's nobody listening, so we just ran 
away..."
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