The Old English Herbals

"The Old English Herbals" by Eleanour Sinclair Rohde is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work explores the rich tradition of herbals originating from Anglo-Saxon England, detailing the manuscripts and folk medicine practices that have survived through the centuries. The book serves to illuminate the connection between early medicinal practices and the cultural beliefs of the time, emphasizing the significance of herbal knowledge in both healing and spiritual rituals. At the start of the book, the author provides a preface that reflects her gratitude towards those who assisted her research, and she introduces the central theme: the examination of Anglo-Saxon herbals. Rohde discusses the rarity and significance of surviving manuscripts that document ancient herbal practices, especially in light of destruction during historical invasions. She begins to outline important texts such as the "Leech Book of Bald" and the "Lacnunga," which contain instructions for healing remedies using herbs and detail the beliefs surrounding disease, spirituality, and nature in Anglo-Saxon society. Through evocative language, Rohde hints at the deep-rooted respect for plants and their powers that characterized the worldview of early English ancestors.