Vernacular writings on health and healing had a major place in early medieval England. These texts—whether unique local remedies or translations of late antique Latin treatises—offer insights into the history of science and medicine, social history, scribal practices, and culture. Some cures resemble ones still used today; others are linguistically extravagant, prescribing ambitious healing practices. Alongside recipes for everyday ailments such as headaches are unparalleled procedures for preventing infant mortality, restoring lost cattle, warding off elf-shot, or remedying the effects of flying venom.
Medical Writings from Early Medieval England presents the first comprehensive edition and translation from Old English of these works in more than 150 years. This volume, the first of a projected pair, includes The Old English Herbal and Remedies from Animals, the heterogeneous collection known as Lacnunga, the post-Conquest treatise Peri Didaxeon, and a compendium of 101 miscellaneous remedies.