Combining the fascinating archive of the first Duchess of Northumberland with the expertise of Jane, the present duchess and the creator of the famous Poison Garden at Alnwick Castle, this gift book contains a collection of wonderful medicinal recipes passed down through generations. The reader will learn the secrets of the poisonous and curative properties of these plants and the more unusual varieties that have been cultivated and planted for centuries, and will discover how 'to make teethe whyte' and how 'to make heare growe'. Beautifully illustrated, The Duchess of Northumberland's Little Book of Poisons, Potions and Aphrodisiacs is the ideal gift for those with an interest in the wild plants of Britain, and for those with an interest in poisons and potions... The Duchess of Northumberland was responsible for the £35 million restoration of the 12 acres of walled garden at Alnwick Castle, which now includes the largest treehouse in the world and the famous Poison Garden. The Poison Garden remains one of the few places to have obtained permission from the Home Office to grow cannabis, opium poppies and catha edulis for display.

Elizabeth was the first Duchess of Northumberland and established the domestic rules of this dynasty that has ruled for over 700 years. Controlling a household of great power and prestige, she laid down the guidelines in her 'Household Book' that created a framework from which to run Alnwick Castle and that, to this day, contains advice that is not only fascinating, but also remains highly relevant. The 'Household Book of the noble family of the Percies' is a fascinating insight into history and domesticity through the ages that is brought right up to date by Jane, the present Duchess of Northumberland. Compiling many of the 'Household Book's' wonderful recipes for jams, jellies and preserves, and featuring what is thought to be the oldest known recipe for marmalade, The Duchess of Northumberland's Little Book of Jams, Jellies and Preserves will appeal to everyone with an interest in cookery, household management and social history. The Duchess of Northumberland was responsible for the £35 million restoration of the 12 acres of walled garden at Alnwick Castle, which now includes the largest treehouse in the world and the famous Poison Garden. The Poison Garden remains one of the few places to have obtained permission from the Home Office to grow cannabis, opium poppies and catha edulis for display.

A compendium of remedies and cures handed down from mother to daughter from the beginning of time, this work presents a challenge to orthodox medicine and a history of female wisdom which goes back to the earliest times. What are old wives' tales? Where do they come from? It answers these questions, and more.

The title of 'duchess' has long been part of Britain's heritage. In 2011, it was brought up to date with the marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, when the Queen conferred a number of titles on her grandson, among them Duke of Cambridge. Catherine joined that select group of the highest ranking duchesses, well-known royals whose husbands are dukes as members of the Royal Family. But another group of women sit just one notch down from royalty, at the top of the aristocratic tree with their dukes. These non-royal duchesses enjoy titles that were bestowed by monarchs for centuries but they are a dying breed: it is unlikely that any more non-royal dukedoms will be created. Here, for the first time, ten of Britain's non-royal duchesses speak candidly about their role and their lives in the 21st century, an era when privilege is an unpopular concept. Each duchess also selects her favourite ancestor in the role, providing a colourful gallery from the 17th to the 20th century. The parallel biographies provide a thought-provoking comparison for what does it mean to be a duchess in the 21st century? The results are often surprising and always fascinating. The title of 'duchess' has long been part of Britain's heritage.

Thought to be the father of modern witchcraft, Gerald Gardner published The Meaning of Witchcraft in 1959, not long after laws punishing witches were repealed. It was the first sympathetic book written from the point of view of a practicing witch. The Meaning of Witchcraft is an invaluable source book for witches today. Chapters include: Witch's Memories and Beliefs, The Stone Age Origins of Witchcraft, Druidism and the Aryan Celts, Magic Thinking, Curious Beliefs about Witches, Signs and Symbols, The Black Mass, Some Allegations Examined. The Meaning of Witchcraft is a record of witches' roots-and a tribute to a founding pioneer with the courage to set that record straight.

Am I of the growing world, bound to the everlasting root, or am I simply a red-blooded man, destined to die? -Weed The seductive central character from the internationally acclaimed Poison Diaries, Weed, re-awakens in this book to a world where he must try to do good and learn from his allies in the plant world. But will this half-man, half-plant creature's desire for revenge weaken him, leading him to use the potency of his plant knowledge to do evil as well as good? Powered by his connection to both healing and vicious plant life such as Belladonna, Hemlock, and Cannabis, Weed struggles against time and the temptations of the seductive women he meets on his journeys, traveling from his home at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland to Lindisfarne, London and the island of Anglesey in an adventure of love, betrayal, murder and salvation. Weed was conceived by Jane Northumberland – The Duchess of Northumberland – creator of the Poison Garden at Alnwick Castle and author of The Little Book of Poisons, Potions and Aphrodisiacs. Weed is brilliantly evoked here by Hugh Sington for the legions of fans worldwide who have been anxiously awaiting his return – now Weed is poised to rejoin the mortal world...