Volume V: Bald’s Leechbook

Early English Manuscripts in Facsimile Finding Aid Home

v. I     v. II     v. III     v.IV     v. V     v.VI     v.VII     v.VIII     v.IX     v.X

v.XI     v.XII     v.XIII    v.XIV     v.XV     v.XVI     v.XVII     v.XVIII     v.XIX    

v.XX     v.XXI     v.XXII     v.XXIII     v.XXIV     v.XV     v.XVI     v.XVII    

v.XXVIII and XXIX    Other resources

Volume V: Bald’s Leechbook

This manuscript, written at Winchester in the middle of the tenth century, preserves two examples (Bald’s and another’s) of a handbook for the everyday use of a practicing doctor. In addition to prescriptions based on empirical knowledge of the virtues of herbs it contains the charms and invocations which were always part of early medicine and some personal elements which give it great human interest. It is thus a combination central for the study of Anglo-Saxon medicine and medico-magic, and it throws much light on ordinary life in the tenth century.

From the publisher's website: http://www.rosenkilde-bagger.dk

Contents of book 1: 1 1a-6b

Book 1 6b-58b

Contents of book 2: 2 58b-65a

Book 2 65a-108b

Bald's statement of ownership 109a

Contents of book 3: 109a-111a

Book 3 111a-127b