health
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Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a fascinating herb with a rich history. It is a hardy perennial herb with fern-like leaves and bright yellow flowers, growing up to three feet tall. It prefers moist soil and full sun to partial shade and is commonly found growing in rough ground, on field boundaries. Tansy contains compounds such…
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Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum) is a fascinating herb. It is a shrubby, perennial herb that can grow quite tall, up to 3-4 feet. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. It’s fairly low-maintenance but may need pruning to ensure it stays bushy and healthy. In mediaeval times: Qualities: Modern Use: Mediaeval Folklore: Culinary uses: Precautions:
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I happened to see a link to an article titled as above and thought it looked interesting. At first, I was appalled by the introduction, which included the following: ….His reputation has taken a number of beatings over the centuries due to a series of unfortunate incidents in which he played a central role. The…
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I’ve written before about stage versions of Josephine Tey’s wonderful novel The Daughter of Times, and now I’m delighted to say that the production at the Charing Cross Theatre has opened: “….This new play, based on Josephine Tey’s acclaimed crime novel, opens tonight [24 July 2025] at the Charing Cross Theatre and will run for…
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Here is the second part of our interview with Dominic Smee, continuing from yesterday’s post. JL: How did your experience change your outlook on your scoliosis? After the documentary, has your life changed and in what ways? DS: These days, I have learnt to embrace my scoliosis as part of who I am instead of…
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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…
The New Murrey and Blue blog 