Excerpt from The Names of Herbes Turner often includes several different plants under the same head ing; but I have thought this plan the easiest for facilitating refer ence A few blanks will be found in the second column; they indicate that I have been unable to ascertain satisfactorily the modern name of the plants to which Turner alludes. The third part is an index, similar to that in the Dictionary of English plant-names, in which the modern Latin names of the plants are given in alpha. Botical order, followed by the various English ones by which they are mentioned in the body of the work. In this way I hope I have rendered the information contained in the Names of Herbes available for the use of all who may wish to obtain it. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

A fascinating look at the myths, folklore and botany behind over 70 British wildflowers. From hedgerows to meadows, wildflowers can be found throughout our green and pleasant land. In this book, journalist and garden writer Rosamond Richardson traces the history and myths behind each flower to discover the fascinating ways in which the plants were used. Discover which flower used as a medieval lie-detector to test the innocence of suspected criminals, or stuffed in the shoes of Roman centurions to prevent damage to their feet as they marched. From periwinkles, beloved of Chaucer, and the oxlips and ‘nodding violet’ growing in the forest of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the book celebrates the important role wildflowers have played in literature, as well as their uses in food and medicine, and the history, myths and tales behind each species. The nineteenth-century poet John Clare wrote, ‘I love wildflowers (none are weeds with me)'. This book is a celebration of the bountiful history behind Britain’s beloved wildflowers and is perfect for anyone with an interest in gardening, history or the natural world.

A New Herball, originally published in three parts during the second half of the sixteenth century, was the first English herbal with any pretensions to scientific status. As such, it provided a landmark in the history of botany and herbalism, breaking new ground in its accuracy of observation and its scientific thoroughness. For the first time since its original publication, the entire Herball is now available in a facsimile edition which faithfully reproduces the beautiful sixteenth-century black-letter text and woodcut illustrations. To aid the twentieth-century reader, a modernised transcript, together with keyed-in notes, a glossary of unfamiliar terms and comprehensive indexes have been provided. Biographical information on this influential physician, naturalist and cleric is also included to give an indication of his contribution to sixteenth-century English history.

Harold Roth is a leading authority on plant/herbal magic. His new book, The Witching Herbs, is an in-depth exploration of 13 essential plants and herbs most closely associated with witchcraft—13 because it’s the witching number and reflects the 13 months of the lunar calendar. The plants are poppy, clary sage, yarrow, rue, hyssop, vervain, mugwort, wormwood, datura, wild tobacco, henbane, belladonna, and mandrake. Roth writes simply and clearly on a vast amount of esoteric information that is not easily found elsewhere and will be greeted enthusiastically by those who already have extensive experience and libraries. It is unique in that it combines mysticism with practical instructions for growing each plant, based on Roth’s 30 years of gardening expertise. Each chapter focuses on one plant and includes information on its unique plant spirit familiar, clear how-to instructions for magical projects, and pragmatic information on growing and cultivating. Roth writes, “This book is a great choice for intermediate-to-advanced witches who would like to work more closely with the traditional witching herbs, especially the baneful plants with their rather difficult spirits. Working directly with spirits is one of the fundamentals of the Craft.” The Witching Herbs is the essential plant-worker’s guide. Roth is not only a successful gardener, but also a magician and scholar of the occult. No other book blends clear, practical gardening techniques with equally lucid and sophisticated plant magic so successfully.

In order to attract readers, it was not uncommon for magical texts of the 16th century to take on the name of a notable figure. Such is the case with The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus, whose secrets are, in fact, a compilation from a number of different sources by an anonymous author who was, according to editors Best and Brightman, probably one of Albertus Magnus' followers.