Add MS 37786

HERBAL of the Pseudo-Aemilius Macer, translated into English prose, with an appendix and other notes, viz.:-

1. "These ben pe precious watris and vertuous for diuerse yuellys" a short tract beg. "Water of wormode is gode for pe stomak," and ending "grete lordes among the Saracenys vsen to drynke hitt." f. 1.

2. Macer's herbal, in three books. The order of the herbs differs from that in the Latin text as printed by Choulant, but does not entirely agree with that of Sloane MS. 84 or Royal 12 B. xii. Other copies of this translation are in Sloane MSS. 393, f. 88 (imperfect), 2269, f. 81, and 2527, f. 251. In the last the name appended, "quod Thomas; Kytte," is probably only that of a scribe. In Sloane 5, f. 18, is another translation by John Lelamour. The herbals in English printed by R. Wyer (undated) under the name Macer are a different work. Beg. "Mogeworte or brotheworte ys clepid archemesia," and ends "and this medecyne ys a nobil medycyne. Here endip pe prid parte of Macer and here begynnyp a fewe herbes which Macer foryete nozt nor pei ben nozt founden ill pe cource of Macer book." The appendix which follows (f. 39b) occurs also in Sloane 2269, and seems to he based on a Latin verse original, but the descriptions are more brief than in Royal 12 B. xii. Beg. "Sanyele hath her name forpi pat she helis woundes," and ends as "muche blode as pe pacient drynk iouis of this erbe." f. 2.

3. Miscellaneous recipes and charms in English. Beg. "For pe brest and for him pat hap lost his talent of mete," and ends "it wole distroie pe pestilence be it never so felle." f. 43. Vellum; ff. iv. + 44. 9¾ in. x 7 in. First half of the xv. cent. A few coarse illuminated initials, others in red and blue. See. fol. "in pe bely." Belonged (f. 44) to "Henricus Savyll," probably Henry Savile of Banke (v. Bibliographical Society, Transactions, 1908), though not included in the catalogue of his library. Belonged (f. iv.) in 1783 to J. S. Hargrave and in 1833 to Hugh W[elch] Diamond [Secretary of the London Photographic Society], whose bookplate of arms is f. i. Bookplate of Lord Amherst (f. ii.). Amherst sale, 1909, lot 575. Persian calf binding, 18th cent.

Medicine: Macer's herbal in English prose, with appendix: 15th cent.

Bookplates: Diamond (Hugh Welch): 1833.

Art. Illuminations and Drawings ENGLISH: Macer's herbal : a few rough initials: 15th cent.

includes:

• f. 1 Medicine: precious waters for divers evils: 15th cent.: Engl.
• f. 2 Aemilius Macer, pseudonym: De viribus herbarum, Engl. prose translation: 15th cent.
• f. 43 Recipes: Medical: 15th cent.: Engl.
• f. 43 Charms: For a woman in childbed: 15th cent.: Lat.