Most monasteries in Medieval times had a physic and herb garden that an apothecary used for making medicines for the local population and the monks.

With the research of herbal remedies and plant-based medicines upper most in my mind I was able to visit the following monasteries during the next couple of years.

In East Sussex, Michelham, https://www.gardenvisit.com/gardens/michelham_priory_garden an Augustinian priory was founded in 1229 and has one of the earliest physic and herb gardens in UK. A replica garden has been built on the site by Sussex Garden Society.

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Abbey Lagrasse in South West France was elevated to Abbey status in 779 and it is still a Benedictine monastery with a physic and garden open to the public. https://www.beyond.fr/picssite/lagrasse-abbey0042b.jpg. It was here that I saw some of the oldest herb varieties being grown including a cannabis and sage plants.

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The pressed flowers were ready, I had researched the medicinal properties for each, I had experimented with printing from the relevant leaves, I had drawings of each flower and I had written a poem for each

For example

Hydrangea

white climbing lace cap heads

turn gradually to rusty pink.

Other colours determined by the soil

but all extracts reduce fever.

But how to present these various elements still alluded me. The problem was that I wanted to update the method presentation of the plants.

Another coincident happened, an article about Michael Holroyd’s Grandmother and her fern collection, later a book called “Ancestors in the Attic”, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancestors-Attic-Including-Great-Grandmothers-Silent/dp/1910258849  whose sewn ferns were so artistically placed and named. How could I place the plants in my herbarium artistically and safe from handling? This was to be my next area to experiment.

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Books can take a long time to germinate and can often be put in store until something suddenly arises that can take it forward again.

On a visit to Wiltshire and on finding a wonderful junk shop that specializes in vintage and antique boxes; I found that something. A two-compartment box.

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The presentation was sorted. The closed box has a textured finished panel attached. The bottom compartment housed a traditional herbarium and the top compartment my modern interpretation. Job done.

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My interest in the use of plants in medicine had been heightened by my exhibition in University of Oxford Botanic Gardens so when I returned to my studio I began to wonder if  there were any plants in Turn End Gardens that could be used for medicinal purposes.

Although I now know that there are commercial uses for some plants my interest was in how they were used in times gone by.

My most trusty reference book became Mrs. Grieves “Modern Herbal “ written in 1931 https://botanical.com/ mainly because it is categorised by Common name which meant that I could remember seeing some of the plants in my childhood and at that time when asking the name Latin did not come to the mind of my parents.

Yes, I found several plants in Turn End Gardens that Mrs Grieves recommended and I could pick some to press and print for my own T. E. Herbarium.

I am always amazed how coincidences happen when I am researching for a book. Is it that I am only seeing relevant links? Possible interesting talks or articles and exhibitions on the subject. I will never know but it has happened more than once so always keep your eyes and ears open to all influences.

The first of these coincidences happened at the Buckinghamshire County Museum. The Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society holds talks once a month at lunchtime at the Museum https://bas1.org.uk/lectures-and-talks  Given by experts in all different fields. At the time of my research they had a talk from the keeper of an herbarium with examples. Although the talk was a bit too academic for me it was the examples that were wonderful to see. How the 19^th century collectors mounted their specimens. Each had a label of where, when and Date found.

Sticky tape and sewing seemed to be the prevalent method. I would have to give my book more time.