The “Banckes Herbal”, A Boke of the propreties of herbes called an herball was the first printed English Herbal. Published by Richard Banckes in 1525, it is based on a series of early English herbals. Today, only a few copies are known to exist. The initial first 1525 edition was compiled from existing manuscript sources with the hope to provide information on the medicinal properties of various plants. It’s printing was a significant step in making herbal knowledge more accessible to the English public.

The “Banckes Herbal” went through numerous editions and variations throughout the 16th century (the WHL digital copy printed in 1552) and played an important role in disseminating herbal knowledge in early modern England. It contributed to the growing interest in herbal medicine and influenced subsequent herbal publications. It helped spread knowledge of herbal remedies and shaped the development of herbal medicine in England.

The author of the Banckes Herbal is unknown. The book, printed in old English, has a great charm. Eleanour Rohde in her work “The Old English Herbals” states “It seems to have been a labour of love” and not merely a translation. The author’s description of Rosemary’s virtues seems to show the author’s love of herbs and the wonderful charm of this little Herbal:

“Take the flowers thereof and make a powder thereof and bind it to thy arm in a linnen cloath and it shale make theee light and merrie.
“Take the flowers and put them in thy chest among thy clothes or among thy Bookes and Mothes shall not destroy them.
“Boyle the leaves in white wine and washe thy face there-with and thy browes and thou shalt have a faire face.
“Also put the leaves under thy bedde and thou shalt be delivered of all evill dreames.
“Take the leaves and put them into wine and it shall keep the wine from all sourness and evill savours and it thou wilt sell thy wine thou shalt have goode speede.
“Also if thou be feeble boyle the leaves in cleane water and washe thyself and thou shalt wax shiny.
“Also if thou have lost appetite and eating boyle well these leaves in cleane water and when the water is colde put there-unto as much of white wine and then make sops, eat them thereof wel and thou shalt restore thy appetite againe.
“If thy legges be blown with gowte boyle the leaves in water and binde them in a linnen cloath and winde it about thy legges and it shall do thee much good.
“If thou have a cough drink the water of the leaves boyld in white wine and ye shall be whole.
“Take the Timber thereof and burn it to coales and make powder thereof and rubbe thy teeth thereof and it shall keep thy teeth from all evils. Smell it oft and it shall keep thee youngly.
“Also if a man have lost his smellyng of the ayre that he may not draw his breath make a fire of the wood and bake his bread therewith, eate it and it shall keepe him well.
“Make thee a box of the wood of rosemary and smell to it and it shall preserve thy youth.”