From Borage to Brownwort: John Gerard’s Revolutionary Herbal
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
December 1, 1597
On this day, as winter's chill began to embrace the English countryside, a most extraordinary tome unfurled its pages to the world.
John Gerard, that esteemed English herbalist, unveiled his magnum opus - The Herbal - a work destined to captivate botanists and garden enthusiasts for centuries to come.
Picture, if you will, the excitement that must have rippled through the scholarly circles of Elizabethan England as this comprehensive guide to the botanical world, boasting over 800 meticulously documented species, first graced their eager hands. One can almost smell the crisp scent of newly printed pages mingling with the aromatic herbs described within.
John's prose, as refreshing as a spring meadow after a gentle rain, brings the plant world to vivid life. Consider his charming description of the humble Self-Heal, also known as Brownwort (Prunella Vulgaris). With delightful conviction, he declares:
"There is not a better wound herb to be found!"
Such enthusiasm! One can almost see John, eyes alight with botanical fervor, extolling the virtues of this modest plant to a rapt audience.
But let us not overlook the cheerful Borage blossoms, or Boragewort, as our dear John christened them. Of these azure beauties, he writes that they are:
"used in salads to exhilarate and make the mind glad."
What a delightful notion! Imagine, if you will, the dreary days of an English winter brightened by a salad strewn with these joy-inducing blooms. One can almost taste the subtle, cucumber-like flavor and feel the spirits lifting with each bite.
John Gerard's life itself unfolds like a rare and exotic bloom. Picture him tending his flourishing garden at Somerset House, a true haven for the curious botanist. Though he did not own the land, John was granted the privilege of cultivating this horticultural paradise - a testament to his renowned skills. At one point, his expertise even elevated him to the esteemed position of herbalist to King James himself.
It was John's keen eye that first recorded and described the enchanting Snakeshead fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris "mel-ee-aye-gris"). This charming flower, with its distinctive chequered petals, is thought to be native to parts of Britain, though sadly absent from the rugged Scottish landscape. One can almost see John's face light up with wonder as he first encountered this curious bloom nodding in a damp meadow.
Today, John's legacy lives on in the botanical genus Gerardia, a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the green world. Yet, like many great works, The Herbal is not without its controversies. Whispers of plagiarism still echo through the halls of botanical history, with experts suspecting that John borrowed rather liberally from the Dutch botanist Rembert Dodoens, whose own herbal had graced the world some forty years prior. But whether borrowed or original, The Herbal offered a wealth of information on over 800 plant species, each lovingly accompanied by a delightful woodcut illustration.
In a charming nod to John's enduring influence, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust offers a delightful selection of Christmas cards adorned with Gerard's exquisite woodcuts of Holly, Pears, and Mistletoe. One cannot help but smile at this festive fusion of botanical history and literary heritage.
(One cannot resist such a touch of festive cheer in December, even amongst the weightier topics, can one?)
So, dear readers, as the winter winds howl and the nights grow long, why not seek solace in the pages of Gerard's Herbal?
Or perhaps adorn your mantle with a card bearing his timeless illustrations?
After all, what better way to weather the cold than with a dash of botanical beauty, a sprinkle of literary history, and the enduring legacy of John Gerard to warm your gardener's heart?
