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Detailed record for Egerton 747


Author		Bartholomaei Mini de Senis; Platearius; Nicolaus of Salerno
Title		Tractatus de herbis (Herbal); De Simplici Medicina ; Circa instans; Antidotarium Nicolai
Origin		Italy, S. (Salerno)
Date		between c. 1280 and c. 1310
Language		Latin
Script		Gothic
Decoration		Numerous miniatures of plants in colours, usually several on a page. Initials in red or blue, some with penwork decoration in the other colour.
Dimensions in mm		360 x 240
Official foliation		ff. 1* 147 ( + 2 unfoliated modern paper flyleaves at the beginning and 3 at the end + an unfoliated parchment leaf after f. 111; f. 1* is a paper flyleaf)
Form		Parchment codex
Binding		BM/BL in-house.
Provenance		Manfred, King of Sicily (reigned 1254-1266): inscription. Bought on 10 July 1839 at Southgate's by the British Museum, using the Bridgewater fund (£12,000 bequeathed in 1829 by Francis Henry Egerton, 8th Earl of Bridgewater (b. 1756, d. 1829) (inscription, f. 1*).
Notes		This is the oldest copy of the Tractatus.
Select bibliography		List of Additions to the Manuscripts in the British Museum in the Years 1836-1840 (London: British Museum, 1843), 1839, p. 15. A Guide to the Exhibition of Some Part of the Egerton Collection of Manuscripts in the British Museum (London, 1929), no. 18. Otto Pacht, 'Early Italian Nature Studies and the Early Calendar Landscape', Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, 13 (1950), 13-47 (p. 29). Loren MacKinney, Medical Illustrations in Medieval Manuscripts, Wellcome Historical Medical Library, 5, 2 parts bound together (London: Wellcome Historical Medical Library, 1965), with Thomas Herndon, Part II, Medical Miniatures in Extant Manuscripts: A Checklist, no. 32. Eleanour Sinclair Rohde, The Old English Herbals (New York: Dover Publications, 1971, repr. of Longmans, Green, 1922), p. 193. Felix Andreas Baumann, Das Erbario Carrarese und die Bildtradition des Tractatus de herbis, Berner Schriften zur Kunst, 12 (Bern: Benteli, 1974), esp. p. 102. Luisa Cogliati Arano, The Medieval Health Handbook: Tacuinum Sanitatis, trans. and adapted by Oscar Ratti and Adele Westbrook (London: Barrie & Jenkins, 1976), p. 153. Bernhard Degenhart and Annegrit Schmitt, Corpus der Italienischen Zeichnungen 1300-1450, part 2 in two volumes (Berlin: Gerb. Mann, 1980), II, pls. 556, 558, 561, 563. Peter Murray Jones, Medieval Medical Miniatures (London: British Library, 1984), fig. 39. Peter Jones, 'Secreta Salernitana', Kos (1984), 33-50. Wolf-Dieter Müller-Jahncke, ‘Die botanische Illustratioe des 14. und 15. Jahrhunderts in Italien’, in Die Kunst und das Studium der Natur vom 14. zum 16. Jahrhundert, ed. by Wolfram Prinz and Andreas Beyer (Cologne: Acta humaniora, 1987), pp. 75-81 (p. 76, pl. 1). Lucia Tongiorgi Tomasi, ‘Toward the Scientific Naturalism: Aspects of Botanical and Zoological Iconography in Manuscripts and Printed Books in the second half of XV [sic] century’, in Die Kunst und das Studium der Natur vom 14. zum 16. Jahrhundert, ed. by Wolfram Prinz and Andreas Beyer (Cologne: Acta humaniora, 1987), pp. 91-101 (pp. 98-99). Two East Anglian Pictur Books : A Facsimile of the Helmingham Herbal and Bestiary and Bodleian Ms. Ashmole 1504, ed. by Nicholas Barker (London: The Roxburghe Club, 1988), pp. 16, 31. Wilifred Blunt and Sandra Raphael, The Illustrated Herbal, 2nd edn (London: Lincoln, 1994), pp. 61, pls 56, 58, 60). Peter Murray Jones, Medieval Medicine in Illuminated Manuscripts, 2nd edn (London: British Library, 1998; first publ. as Medieval Medical Miniatures, 1984), pp. 67-68, fig. 61. Minta Collins, Medieval Herbals: The Illustrative Traditions (London: British Library, 2000), pp. 239-65, pls XXII-XXIV. A Medieval Herbal: A Facsimile of British Library Egerton MS 747, intro. by Minta Collins, list of plants by Sandra Raphael (London: British Library, 2003). Celia Fisher, Flowers in Medieval Manuscripts (London: British Library, 2004), pp. 7-8. Alixe Bovey, Tacuinum Sanitatis: An Early Renaissance Guide to Health (London: Sam Fogg, 2005), p. 20, p. 35 n. 22. Jean A. Givens, Observation and Image-Making in Gothic Art (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005), pp. 90-92, 95, 99, pls 28, 30. Jean A. Givens, ‘Reading and Writing the Illustrated Tractatus de herbis, 1280-1526’, in Visualising Medieval Medicine and Natural History, 1200-1550, ed. by Jean A. Givens, Karen M. Reeds, and Alain Touwaide, AVISTA Studies in the History of Medieval Technology, Science, and Art, 5 (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2006), pp. 115-45 (pp. 115-25).

Images



f. 1 Doctor	f. 2 Aloe Wood and Gold	f. 3 Chaste Tree, Alum, and Celery

f. 3v Buttercups	f. 4v Fir Tree and Dill	f. 5 Asphodel and Garlic

f. 5v Yellow Flag	f. 6 Wormwood	f. 6v Cashew Nut Tree

f. 7 Birthwort and Ambergris	ff. 7v-8 Mugwort, Tansy, and Feverfew	f. 7v Mugwort

f. 8 Tansy and Feverfew	f. 9 Orpiment, Bitumen, and Acanthus	f. 9v Maidenhair Fern and Agrimony

f. 10 Coltsfoot and Marshmallow	f. 10v King's Spear, Ambrosia, and Asarabacca	f. 11 Garden Orach; Rose; Anthora Monkshood

f. 11v Oats, Caraway, and Amomum	f. 12 Wood Sorrel, Sorrel, Strawberry Tree, and Balsam	f. 12v Armenian bole

f. 13 Pomegranate and Borage	f. 13v Borax	f. 14 Betony

f. 14v Acanthus	f. 15 Barberry or Hawthorn and Cotton	f. 15v Alkanet or Bugloss

f. 16 Vervain	f. 16v Sorrel, Shepherd's Purse, and White Bryony	f. 17 Milk Thistle

f. 17v Great Burdock and Box	f. 18 Brazilwood, Butcher's Broom, and Beet	f. 18v Amaranthus and Cyclamen

f. 19v Colocynth and Purging Cassia	f. 20 Flax Dodder and Cardamom	f. 20v Capers

f. 21 Calamint and Centaury	f. 21v Cassia Bark	f. 22 Castor

f. 23 Cinnamon and Germander Speedwell	f. 23v Ground-pine	f. 24 Caraway, Cumin, and Hemlock

f. 24v Saffron Crocus and Safflower	f. 25 Rush or Galingale and Sweet Flag	f. 26 Rock Samphire and Costus

f. 26v Gourd	f. 27v Coriander and Chervil	f. 28 Hemp and Thistle

f. 28v Teasel and Sweet Chamomile	f. 29 Navelwort and Onion	f. 29v Swine Cress and Reed

f. 30 Pot Marigold, Rustyback Fern, and Candellaria	f. 30v Comfrey, and Self-heal	f. 31 Cottonweed and Cherry

f. 31v Goat's Rue and Honeysuckle	f. 32 Scammony	f. 32v Gum tragacanth

f. 33 Carrot and Fraxinella	f. 33v Tormentil and Date	f. 34 Endive and Dodder

f. 34v Elecampane and Officinal Spurge	f. 35 Agrimony and Emblic	f. 35v Liverwort and Squirting Cucumber

f. 36 Hellebore	f. 36v Leafy Spurge and Wild Rocket	f. 37 Dwarf Elder and Ivy

f. 37v Stinking Iris and Chicory	f. 38 Eyebright and Flamula	f. 39 Dropwort and Ash

f. 39v Fennel and Fenugreek	f. 40 Polypody and Wild Strawberry	f. 40v Rock Rose, Spindle, and Spurge Laurel

f. 41 Nightshade, Orphine, and Broad Bean	f. 41v Ferula and Fig	f. 42 Cloves

f. 42v Yellow Gentian and Greater Galangal	f. 43 Resin	f. 43v Wood Avnes and Corncockle

f. 44 Common Gromwell, Clary, and Oak Galls	f. 44v Osyris and Broom	f. 45 Couch Grass

f. 45v Gratiola, Lavender, and Joseph's Coat	f. 46 Snakeshead Iris and Squinancy Root	f. 46v Heliotrope and Thistle

f. 47 Thyme	f. 47v Costmary, Primrose, and Henbane	f. 48 Basil Thyme and Hyssop

f. 48v Lords and Ladies and Iris	f. 49 Cytinus and Juniper	f. 49v St John's Wort and Horsetail

f. 50 Grapevine and Woad	f. 50v Ground-pine, Primrose, and Garlic	f. 51 Moly, Amber, and Laudanum

f. 51v Liquorice and Lapis Lazuli	f. 52 White Lily and Tea-Tree	f. 52v Ash and Mercury

f. 53 Dock	f. 53v Lettuce and Lupin	f. 54 Bay Laurel and Lentisk

f. 54v Lentil and Spurge Laurel	f. 55 Lovage	f. 55v Darnel and Hop

f. 56 Goat's Beard and Prickly Lettuce	f. 56v Flax, Toadflax, and Duckweed	f. 57 Hound's Tongue and Viper's Bugloss

f. 57v Ribwort Plantain, Common Sow Thistle, and Burdock	f. 58 Bilberry	f. 58v Melilot and Marsh Mallow

f. 59 Malva ortensis	f. 59v Spearmint	f. 60 Peppermint and Mint

f. 60v Pearls and Mumia	f. 61 Mandrake and Baldmoney	f. 61v Quince

f. 62 Pomegranate and Crabapple	f. 62v White Horehound and Honey	f. 63 Muscus

f. 64 Mace and Sweet Marjoram	f. 64v Lemon Balm and Mulberry or Blackberry	f. 65 Honeysuckle and Alexanders

f. 65v Devil's Bit Scabious, Herb Robert, and Storksbill	f. 66 Yarrow and Aubergine	f. 66v Melon and Watercress

f. 67 Pepperwort and Waterlily	ff. 67v-68 Nutmeg, Coconut, Melagueta Pepper, and Nux Vomica	f. 67v Nutmeg and Coconut

f. 68 Melegueta Pepper, and Nux Vomica	f. 68v Love-in-a-Mist and Sea Daffodil	f. 69 Medlar and Sweet Basil

f. 69v Gum	f. 70 Wild Marjoram	f. 70v Tamarind and Barley

f. 71 Deer Cartilage, Cuttlebone, and Frankincense	f. 71v Oleander and Pellitory	f. 72 Pepper

f. 72v Peony	f. 73 Papaver and Opium	f. 73v Corn Poppy and Hog's Fennel

f. 74 Parsley and Fleabane	f. 74v Stone Pine and Plum	f. 75 Fleawort and Polypody

f. 75v Pellitory-of-the-Wall	f. 76 Purslane and Pennyroyal	f. 76v Pear and Citron

f. 77 Grapevine and Pistacio	f. 77v Mountain Germander and Greater Plantain	f. 78 Ribwort Plantain

f. 78v Creeping Cinquefoil and Knotgrass	f. 79 Maidenhair Spleenwort and Daisy	f. 79v Asparagus and Lungwort

f. 80 Redshank and Indian Liquorice	f. 80v Great Burnet and Mouse-ear Hawkweed	f. 81 Periwinkle and Spotted Orchid

f. 81v Peach	f. 82 Tuberous Hawkbit and Wall Barley	f. 82v Dove's-foot Cranesbill and Leek

f. 83 Rose	f. 83v Horseradish	f. 84 Radish and Rhubarb

f. 84v Reuponticum and Madder	f. 85 Rue	f. 85v Rosemary and Blackberry

f. 86 Dittander and Heliotrope	f. 86v Rice and Wild Radish	f. 87 Turnip

f. 87v Spikenard	f. 88 Black Nightshade and Chinese Lantern	f. 88v Sulphur and Houseleek

f. 89 Soapwort and Dragon's Blood Resin	f. 89v Camel Grass and White Mustard	f. 90 Sarcocolla and Helichrysum

f. 90v French Lavender and Orchid	f. 91 Chicory, Figwort, and Ivory	f. 91v Sea-kale and Lizards

f. 92 Asparagus and Savin	f. 92v Burnet Saxifrage and Water Mint	f. 93 Sage and Scabious

f. 93v Watercress and Dragon Arum	f. 94 Willow and Elder	f. 94v Sea Onion

f. 95 Sicilian Sumach	f. 95v White Sandalwood and Alexandrian senna	f. 96 Wild Thyme and Savory

f. 96v Crab-grass and Hart's-tongue Fern	f. 97 Sea Bindweed and Spinach	f. 97v Scallion and Cleavers

f. 98 Meadow Rue and Jasmine	f. 98v Christ's Thorn, Star-thistle, and Sebesten Plum	f. 99 Solomon's Seal

f. 99v Burnet and Sorbus	f. 100 Fool's Parsley	f. 100v Tamarisk

f. 101 Spurge, Cypress Spurge, and Turpeth Root	f. 101v Spanish Turpeth Root and Mullein	f. 102 Turpentine, Caltrops, and Clover

f. 102v Tormentil and Clover	f. 103 Sweet Violet and Vitrum Glass	f. 103v Teasel and Black Bryony

f. 104 Purple Deadnettle and Stinging Nettle	f. 104v Stonecrop and Bindweed	f. 105 Swallow Wort and Parsley

f. 105v Ginger and Turmeric	f. 106 Sugar-cane	f. 106v Sweet-pea and Yarrow

f. 107 Pimpernels	f. 107v Wall Germander and Andronica	f. 108 Vervain and Blessed Thistle

f. 108v Rampion Bellflower and Field Larkspur	f. 109 Butcher's Broom	f. 109v Prognostica Galieni

f. 110v Lunar calendar	f. 111 Lunar calendar	f. 112 Man

f. 147v Coloured initials

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