health
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This is the fourth in our series of interviews with notable people associated with Richard III. Dominic preferred to write his replies and they are very long and detailed, so we have decided to publish in two parts. Don’t let the length of it put you off – it’s really worth reading! Dominic Smee: My…
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Winter savory (Satureja montana) was used more in medieval times than today. It grows to between 10 and 40 cm (4 and 16 in) tall. The leathery, dark green leaves are opposite, oval-lanceolate or needle-like, 1–2 cm long and 5 mm broad. The flowers appear in summer, between July and October, and range from pale lavender or pink to…
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Archaeology Today reports that the remains of St Leonard’s, a medieval hospital, have been discovered while repairing a sink hole in York. It dates from the 12th or 13th centuries and wasn’t destroyed until H8 got his hands on it during the Reformation, so Richard III would certainly have known of it. Read more about…
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Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) is a fascinating and infamous medieval herb! You may have heard of it through Harry Potter these days, but it is real and had some strange tales attached to it. Here are some interesting facts about mandrake: Magical and Superstitious Uses Protection and good fortune: Mandrake was believed to offer protection and…
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This is a new research paper about the popular perceptions of Richard III, by Olga Prokopis. It’s titled Un-disabling the King: Richard III and the ‘New Evidence’. It investigates the popular perceptions about him, the reasons for them and whether they are true, going on to address the new, equally false narratives, but the title…
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Betony (Stachys officinalis) is a perennial herb that has been used for centuries in medieval medicine, cooking, and even magic! Here are some fascinating facts about betony: Medicinal Uses Culinary Uses Magical and Superstitious Uses Other Interesting Facts Overall, betony was a highly valued herb in medieval times, and its uses ranged from medicinal and…
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This is the fifth You Tube video that the Richard III Society has posted, debunking some of the myths regarding Richard. They are quite short, between five and just over ten minutes long. This is the fifth one:
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Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) was commonly used in medieval times, but has fallen out of popularity now. Here are some fascinating facts about hyssop: Medicinal UsesRespiratory issues: Hyssop was used to treat coughs, colds, and respiratory problems, such as bronchitis and asthma.Digestive aid: The herb was used to soothe digestive issues, like indigestion and bloating.Wound healing:…
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You may have often heard that people in medieval times were very dirty and unhygienic, with bad teeth. However, this has now been debunked as a myth and this article explains some of the practices they used to keep clean. They mention that teeth were cleaned, but not with a brush. They either used a…
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Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a perennial herb native to Europe and Asia. It was used for centuries in medieval medicine. Comfrey has broad, oval-shaped leaves with a coarse texture, and small, bell-shaped flowers that range from purple to white or pink. It grows up to 3 feet tall and has a deep taproot. Medicinal Uses…
The New Murrey and Blue blog 