Manuscript

Bodleian Library, MS. Ashmole 1462
(Herbals)

Codicology

Produced: England, 12th - 13th century
Current Location: Bodleian Library, Oxford, England, UK
Manuscript Type: Miscellany
Language: Latin
Folios: 82
Illustrated: Yes
Media: Parchment
Sample page - Bodleian Library MS. Ashmole 1462
Folio 58v-59r

Description

Miscellaneous medical and herbal texts, illustrated with colored drawings. Two sections deal with animals in medicine and have several animal illustrations.

  • Folio 45v: A section titled Incipt epistola de bestiola quam aliqui melen vocant (approximate translation "Here begins the text where small animals are mentioned").
  • Folio 61r: A section on the medicinal use of animals titled Incipiunt capitula libri medicinarum Placidi Actoris, ex animalibus, peoribus, bestiisque, et avibus (approximate translation "Book chapter by Placidi Actoris on medicine from animals, cattle, beasts and birds").

Other animal images are scattered through the text, usually illustrating chapters on herbs to cure ailments caused by the animal.

Additional Descriptions

Additional description 1
Additional description 2 (Digitized page image)
Additional description 3 (Digitized pahe image)

Editions and Facsimiles

Digital facsimiles

Bodleian Library (Partial, 92 images from slides)