This glossary attempts to explain some of the more obscure terms used in the
"Digby" mead recipes. Corrections and clarifications are welcome.
Send e-mail to
me, spencer@umich.edu, or if your WWW browser supports
forms, you can use the feedback form.
I can especially use help with the herbs, including possible
medicinal uses. Pictures would be cool, too.
- Agrimony
- A genus of plants (N.O. Rosaceæ), of which one species
(A. Eupatoria), to which the Eng. name is usually attached, is common
in Britain. See
notes on herbs.
- Ambergris
- A wax-like substance of marbled ashy colour, found floating in
tropical seas, and as a morbid secretion in the intestines of the
sperm-whale. It is odoriferous and used in perfumery; formerly in
cookery. See notes on herbs.
- Angelica
- An aromatic umbelliferous plant (A. archangelica, or
Archangelica officinalis) indigenous to Europe, and cultivated (since
1568) in England, for culinary or medicinal purposes. So named on
account of its repute against poison and pestilence, prob. from the
fragrant smell and aromatic taste of its root. See
notes on herbs.
- Avens
- Popular name of two species of the genus Geum
(N.O. Rosaceæ), the Wood Avens or Herb Bennet
(G. urbanum), formerly used medicinally and to give a
clove-like flavour to ale. See notes on
herbs.
- Balm
- Probably some fragrant garden herbs (N.O. Labiatæ); the
chief are Balm Gentle or Balm-mint (Melissa officinalis) and Bastard
Balm (Melittis melissophyllum). Also Field Balm (Calamintha
Nepeta). May also be an aromatic substance, consisting of resin mixed
with volatile oils, exuding naturally from various trees of the genus
Balsamodendron, and much prized for its fragrance and medicinal
properties (cf. Balsam). See notes on herbs.
- barm
- Yeast. More likely, the lees from a previous batch or the froth from
a currently fermenting batch.
- Bear an Egg
- He is using eggs as primitive hydrometers. Place a raw egg in the
solution. It will float at a certain gravity (does anybody know what gravity
this would correspond to?). Sometimes he specifies that it should float
"to the width of a groat" or some such measure. This means that the amount of
egg showing above the surface should be about the size of a
groat, a 16-century coin worth 4 pence.
Joyce says that her experiments with modern store-bought eggs
give a 1cm circle showing at a SG of 1.080.
- Bettony
- (Betony) A plant (Stachys Betonica)
of the Labiate order, having
spiked purple flowers and ovate crenate leaves. In former days
medicinal and magical virtues were attributed to it.
St. Paul's betony, a small species of Speedwell (Veronica
serpyllifolia). See notes on herbs.
- Bistort
- A species of Polygonum (P. bistorta), named from the
twisted form of its large root, bearing a cylindrical spike of small
flesh-coloured flowers; also called Snakeweed. See adderwort. See
notes on herbs.
- Bittersweet
- The Woody Nightshade, Solanum Dulcamara, a common shrubling
plant in Britain.
- Blew
- Obsolete spelling of blue.
- Bluebottle
- The common name for the Blue Corn-flower (Centaurea
cyanus). See notes on herbs.
- Blew-button, Blue-button
- Unknown.
- Bloodwort
- A name applied to various plants having red roots or leaves, or
popularly supposed to stanch blood or to draw blood. Among these are
the Bloody Dock (Rumex sanguineus), the Dwarf Elder or Danewort
(Sambucus Ebulus); also Burnet (Sanguisorba
officinalis), the American Blood-root (Sanguinaria
canadensis), and genus Hæmodorum. See notes on herbs.
- Borage
- A genus of plants, giving its name to a natural order
(Boraginaceæ). spec. The common British species (Borago
officinalis), which has bright blue flowers, and stem and leaves
covered with prickly hairs; it was formerly much esteemed as a
cordial, and is still largely used in making cool tankard, claret cup,
etc. See notes on herbs.
- Bramble
- A rough prickly shrub; spec. the blackberry-bush (Rubus
fruticosus). Whether this is the "red bramble" he refers to, I
don't know. See notes on herbs.
- Broombuds
- Most likely, the buds from broom: A shrub, Sarothamnus or
Cytisus Scoparius (N.O. Leguminosæ), large
handsome yellow papilionaceous flowers; abundant on sandy banks,
pastures, and heaths in Britain, and diffused over Western
Europe. Also the genus to which this belongs, and the allied genus
Genista, including the White Broom, and Giant or Irish Broom
cultivated in gardens, and many other species. See notes on herbs.
- Bugle
- The English name of the plants belonging to the genus
Ajuga, esp. the common species A. reptans. See notes on herbs.
- Bugloss
- A name applied to several boraginaceous plants, particularly the
small, corn, or field b. (Lycopsis or Anchusa arvensis);
viper's b. (Echium vulgare), and other species of
Echium; also by some old herbalists to Helminthia
echioides, prickly ox-tongue. See notes on herbs.
- Burnet
- The popular name of plants belonging to the genera
Sanguisorba and Poterium (N.O. Rosaceæ),
of which the Great or Common Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis)
is common in meadows, and the Lesser or Salad Burnet (Poterium
Sanguisorba) on the Chalk. The old herbalists confounded with
these the Burnet Saxifrage Pimpinella Saxifraga, an umbelliferous
plant resembling the Burnets in foliage. See
notes on herbs.
- Carduus Benedictus
- Also known as "blessed thistle." An intensely bitter herb. See
notes on herbs.
- Celandine
- The name of two distinct plants, bearing yellow flowers; by the
old herbalists regarded as species of the same plant, and identified
(probably correctly) with the `greater and lesser chelidonia' of
ancient writers.
Common or Greater Celandine, Chelidonium majus
(N.O. Papaveraceæ); called by Lyte swallow-wort. Its
thick yellow juice was formerly supposed to be a powerful remedy for
weak sight.
Small or Lesser Celandine, the Pilewort or Figwort, Ranunculus
Ficaria. See notes on herbs.
- Chicory
- The plant Cichorium Intybus
(N.O. Compositæ), with bright blue flowers, found wild in
the south of England, and elsewhere in Europe and Asia, and cultivated
in various parts for its root. See notes on herbs.
- Clove gilly-flowers
- Cloves.
A dissenting opinion on this from Carole Newson-Smith:
Clove gilly-flower is an
old name for clove-pinks (mini-carnations). Their botanical
name is dianthus caryophyllus granadin.*
- Clown's Allheal
- A name given by Gerard (1597) to the Woundwort (Stachys
palustris). See notes on herbs.
- Coltsfoot
- The common name of Tussilago Farfara
(N.O. Compositæ), a common weed in waste or clayey
ground, with large spreading cordate leaves downy beneath, and yellow
flowers appearing in early spring before the leaves. See
notes on herbs.
- Comfrey
- The English name of Symphytum officinale
(N.O. Boraginaceæ), a tall plant, common on margins of
streams and ditches, with rough leaves, and drooping clusters of
yellowish-white or reddish-purple bell-shaped flowers; formerly
esteemed as a vulnerary. See
notes on herbs.
- Cowslip
- The common name of Primula veris, a well-known wild plant
in pastures and grassy banks, blossoming in spring, with drooping
umbels of fragrant yellow flowers. Also called paigle.
French or mountain cowslip, the Auricula (Primula
Auricula) See notes on herbs.
- Conduit Water
- The Oxford English Dictionary defines this as "spring water."
- Dock
- The common name of various species of the genus Rumex
(N.O. Polygonaceæ), coarse weedy herbs with thickened rootstock,
sheathing stipules, and panicled racemes of inconspicuous greenish
flowers. Without qualifying word usually the common dock
(R. obtusifolius), well known as the popular antidote for
nettle-stings. See
notes on herbs.
- Dragons, Green Dragon, Dragonwort
- The plant Dracunculus vulgaris (formerly Arum
Dracunculus). See notes on herbs.
- Eglantine
- Sweetbriar.
See notes on herbs.
- Elecampane
- A perennial composite plant, Horse-heal (Inula Helenium), with
very large yellow radiate flowers and bitter aromatic leaves and root;
formerly used as a tonic and stimulant. See
notes on herbs.
- Eringo, Eryngo
- The candied root of the Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum),
formerly used as a sweetmeat, and regarded as an aphrodisiac. See notes on herbs.
- Eyebright
- The popular name of the plant Euphrasia officinalis,
formerly in repute as a remedy for weak eyes: = euphrasy. See
notes on herbs.
- Feverfew
- The plant Pyrethrum Parthenium. (Dialect) The
Erythræa Centaurium. See
notes on herbs.
- Ground-ivy
- The herb ale-hoof, Nepeta Glechoma or Glechoma
hederacea, a common labiate plant having bluish-purple flowers and
kidney-shaped leaves. See
notes on herbs.
- Groundsel
- Any plant belonging to the genus Senecio
(N.O. Compositæ), esp. S. vulgaris (`common
groundsel'), a common European weed, which is given as food to
cage-birds and was formerly largely used for medical purposes. See
notes on herbs.
- Furnace
- OED: A boiler, cauldron, crucible. Obs. exc. dial.
- Galingale
- The aromatic root of certain East Indian plants of the genera
Alpinia and Kæmpferia, formerly much used in
medicine and cookery.
Applied to an English species of sedge, Cyperus longus,
sometimes distinguished as `English galingale', the root of which has
similar properties to those of the true galingale.
- Gallon
- From the
Measures
of Capacity FAQ:
U.K.: "...for ale 282 cu in; for wine 231 cu in" (Conner, p 364) Note
that the 231 cu in wine gallon is identical to the U.S. gallon. This
was the legal size of the gallon as established under Queen Anne in
1707. Also, the 282 cu in ale gallon is 1.65% larger than the 277.42
cu in Imperial gallon! The Imperial Gallon was established in 1824 as
the weight of 10 pounds of water at 62 degrees F. However, it should
be noted that the 282 cu in ale gallon does not imply that the
derivative measures are not 1.65% larger. In particular the pint
served in pubs is based on the 20 ounce pint. Camra members may argue
this given recent regulatory statements in the U.K.
U.S.: 231 cu in, 128 U.S. fluid ounces.
- Groat
- The Oxford English Dictionary says, in part:
The English groat
coined in 1351-2 was made equal to four pence. This ratio between the
groat and the penny continued to be maintained; but owing to the
progressive debasement of both coins, the `old groats' which remained
in circulation were valued at a higher rate.
The groat ceased to be issued for circulation in
1662, and was not afterwards coined under that name.
About the `old groat', it has this to say
A denomination of coin which was recognized from the 13th c. in
various countries of Europe. Its standard seems to have been in the
14th c. theoretically one-eighth of an ounce of silver; but its actual
intrinsic value varied greatly in different countries and at different
periods.
Unfortunately, neither definition tells us how "wide" the coin is. I
would presume that Digby, writing in the 1600s, was referring to the English
4p coin.
Steve Mercer <steve.mercer@network.com> writes:
Several countries have issued coins with the name Groat.
The groat of Sir Digby's time and place was an English
silver coin worth four pence. According to the OED, the
English groat was minted from 1351 to 1662. Other sources
give slightly different dates, but agree about the general
time period. The groat ceased to be issued for circulation
in 1662, and was not afterwards coined under that name.
The fourpence or fourpenny piece minted after 1836 was
occasionally called a groat, but this name was not
officially recognized, and was rarely used.
According to the "Standard Catalogue of British Coins"
printed in 1964, groats came in different sizes depending on
the time and location in which they were minted. The English
silver groat of Charles I (1625-1649) would have been the
most common groat in circulation during Digby's lifetime.
Measurements from the book reveal examples of Charles I
silver groats that were the size of a US nickel, slightly
larger than a US Nickel, Slightly smaller than a US quarter,
and the size of a US quarter. The quarter and near-quarter
sized groats were more common in the book. Professional
coin dealers in 1964 would sell Charles I groats for prices
as high as 150 Pounds for the very rare or high quality coins.
- Gromwell
- The common name for any of the plants of the genus
Lithospermum (N.O. Boraginaceæ), characterized by
hard stony seeds, which were formerly much used in medicine. See notes on herbs.
- Hart's tongue
- The common name of the fern Scolopendrium vulgare; also
extended to other species of the genus; rarely applied to some other
polypodiaceous ferns, as Olfersia cervina and Polypodium
Singaporianum See notes on
herbs.
- Herbs
- The Digby recipes call for a wide variety of wild and garden herbs.
Here's a cautionary note from Joyce Miller on using them:
Seriously, though, nobody should go out and start adding handfuls of wild
vegetation to their fermenters. That could be very dangerous. What was
called "wild carrot" in England could be the same thing as what we
Americans call "wild carrot", but probably not. Heavily-used plants were
imported, but a lot of stuff here was just named after something it
resembled back in England. And "dock" -- do you have any idea how many
different plants were called by that name? It's just incredible.
Everything from salad herbs to stinging nettles. Common names for plants
were exactly that -- names commonly in use at that time and place, and
these change over time and geography, just like language. If I find some
sources for identifying medieval pot-herbs, I'll let you know.
The definitions in this glossary came, for the most part, from the Oxford
English Dictionary. I've tried to verify, by looking at the quotations,
that the definitions given here were in effect at the time Digby was
writing (1600s).
- Hogshead
- "A large cask or barrel; esp.: one containing from 63 to 140
gallons ... A U.S. unit equal to 63 gallons" (Webster). Ian Nottage
reports a U.K. hogshead to be 54 Imperial Gallons
- Horehound
- A labiate herb, Marrubium vulgare, having stem and leaves
covered with white cottony pubescence; its aromatic bitter juice is
much used as a remedy for coughs, etc. Hence extended to several
allied herbs, horehound proper being then distinguished as common or
white horehound. See notes on herbs.
- Hypericum
- A large genus of plants (herbs or shrubs), of very wide
distribution, the type of the N.O. Hypericaceæ, having
pentamerous yellow flowers, stamens arranged in from 3 to 5 clusters,
and leaves usually marked with pellucid dots (specially conspicuous in
the common species H. perforatum); commonly known as
St. John's-worts. See
notes on herbs.
- Hyssop
- A small bushy aromatic herb of the genus Hyssopus
(N.O. Labiatæ); spec. the common cultivated species
H. officinalis, a native of Southern Europe, formerly much used
medicinally, esp. in decoctions. See
notes on herbs.
- Kiver
- A shallow wooden vessel or tub.
- Lady's-mantle
- A common name for the rosaceous herb Alchemilla vulgaris.
See notes on herbs.
- Liverwort
- The lichen-like plant Marchantia polymorpha. Also agrimony. See notes on
herbs.
- Maidenhair
- The name of certain ferns having fine hair-like stalks and
delicate fronds.
Adiantum Capillus-veneris, called also black or true
maidenhair; formerly much used in medicine.
Asplenium Trichomanes, called also common or English
maidenhair. See
notes on herbs.
- Marshmallow
- A shrubby herb, Althea officinalis
(NO. Malvaceæ), which grows near salt marshes, having
ovate leaves, pale rose-coloured flowers, and a mucilaginous root. See
notes on herbs.
- May-weed
- Not clear. OED says "see maythe," under which it has
Stinking Camomile, Anthemis Cotula. Applied also to various
other composite plants resembling this, as Anthemis nobilis,
Matricaria Chamomilla, M. inodora, Chrysanthemum
Leucanthemum, Pyrethrum Parthenium. Red maythe
refers to red or purple camomile, Adonis autumnalis.
It also says, "see maidweed," which is Stinking Camomile. Neither
reference explictly mentions "brown mayweed," which is what Digby
lists. See notes on herbs.
- Meadow-sweet
- The rosaceous plant Spiræa Ulmaria, common in moist
meadows and along the banks of streams, growing on erect, rigid stems
to a height of about two feet, with dense heads of creamy white and
highly fragrant flowers. In the U.S. applied to another species,
S. salicifolia. See notes on herbs.
- Mellilot
- (Melilot) A plant of the leguminous genus Melilotus,
esp. M. officinalis or Yellow Melilot, the dried flowers of
which were formerly much used in making plasters, poultices, etc. See
notes on herbs.
- Mouse-ear
- A species of hawkweed, Hieracium Pilosella. See
notes on herbs.
- Mugwort
- The plant Artemisia vulgaris, formerly also called
motherwort. Also applied to other species of Artemisia, as wormwood,
A. Absinthium.See notes on herbs.
- Muscovy
- A species of Crane's-bill or Geranium, Erodium
moschatum. See notes on herbs.
- Mother of wine
- The OED says, in a definition of "mother": "Dregs,
scum. ... applied chiefly to the scum rising to the surface of
fermenting liquors. Obs."
(A 1611 definition) The white, or
mouldie spots that float on the top of old wine.
- Nettle
- Digby refers to the red nettle, probably the red dead-nettle, but may
be a variety of the stinging nettle (genus Urtica).
Dead-nettle The English name for plants of the genus Lamium
(N.O. Labiatæ), having leaves like those of a nettle, but
which do not sting; esp. L. album white dead-nettle, and
L. purpureum red dead-nettle; also applied to
L. Galeobdolon (G. luteum) yellow dead-nettle or
archangel, and occasionally to species of Stachys or other
labiates. See notes on herbs.
- Oak of Jerusalem
- Chenopodium Botrys, having leaves jagged like those of an
oak. See notes on herbs.
- Organ, Origan, Origanum
- A plant of the genus Origanum, esp. Wild Marjoram
(O. vulgare); formerly also applied to other aromatic labiates,
as Pennyroyal (Mentha
Pulegium).
Digby may use the term "organ" for pennyroyal, while "origanum" is
used for wild marjoram. See notes on herbs.
- Orris
- A plant of the genus Iris, esp. Iris germanica and
I. florentina; the flower-de-luce. The rhizome of three
species of Iris (I. florentina, I. germanica,
I. pallida), which has a fragrant odour like that of violets;
it is used powdered as a perfume and in medicine. See
notes on herbs.
- Oseille
- Sorrel.
- Pellitory (of the Wall), Parietary
- A low bushy plant (Parietaria officinalis,
N.O. Urticaceæ) with small ovate leaves and greenish
flowers, growing upon or at the foot of walls. Commonly distinguished
as pellitory of the wall. See notes on herbs.
- Pennyroyal
- A species of mint (Mentha Pulegium), with small leaves
and prostrate habit; formerly much cultivated and esteemed for its
supposed medicinal virtues. See notes on
herbs.
- Philipendula, Filipendula
- The drop-wort (Spiræa Filipendula). See
notes on herbs.
- Pimpernel
- The OED gives three definitions, the first two listed
"obsolete," with the latest authoritative quotations in the 1580s. The
third is supported by quotations starting in 1538. This makes
it difficult to determine which plant was meant by Digby. See notes on herbs.
1. Originally (as still in the Romanic languages) applied to Great
Burnet, Sanguisorba officinalis, and Salad Burnet, Poterium
Sanguisorba. (According to some, properly to the latter.)
2. Burnet Saxifrage (Pimpinella Saxifraga,
N.O. Umbelliferæ).
3. Now, The common name of Anagallis arvensis
(N.O. Primulaceæ), a small decumbent annual found in
cornfields and waste ground, with smooth ovate opposite leaves, and
bright scarlet flowers (varying with blue, and, more rarely,
flesh-coloured or white) which close in cloudy or rainy weather
(whence its rustic names poor man's weatherglass, shepherd's glass,
etc.): distinctively called field or scarlet pimpernel.
- Pottle
- This term was used for 1/2 a gallon
in reference to beer. See also the
Measures
of Capacity FAQ.
- Pourpier, Purpie
- Apparently, Digby's Pourpier is the same as purpie, for which
the OED says, "In medieval lists of plant-names a regular synonym of
portulaca." In particular, it seems to be the same as
purslane. See
notes on herbs.
Portulaca A genus of plants, comprising low succulent
herbs bearing white, yellow, red, or purple terminal flowers,
expanding only once in direct sunshine; esp. a plant of a cultivated
species of this genus.
- Primrose
- A well-known plant (Primula veris var. acaulis Linn.,
P. vulgaris Huds., P. acaulis Jacq., P. grandiflora
Lam.), bearing pale yellowish flowers in early spring, growing
wild in woods and hedges and on banks, esp. on clayey soil, and
cultivated in many varieties as a garden plant. Also, the flower of
this plant. (But note: Formerly applied to the Daisy, Bellis
perennis.) See notes on herbs.
- Pugil
- Etymologically, a handful; but from the 17th century defined as
`as much as can be taken up between the thumb and the next two (or
sometimes three) fingers'; a little handful or big pinch.
- Purslane
- A low succulent herb, Portulaca oleracea, widely
distributed throughout tropical and warmer temperate regions, used in
salads, and sometimes as a pot-herb, or for pickling. Also called
common or garden purslane. Formerly cultivated in English kitchen
gardens, but now rarely met with. See notes on
herbs.
- Raisins of the sun
- Sun-dried grapes.
- Ribwort
- The Narrow-leaved Plantain (Plantago lanceolata);
ribgrass. See notes on herbs.
- Rocket
- Also known as Arugula and Rocquet. A cruciferous annual
(Eruca sativa) having purple-veined white flowers and acrid
leaves, used in Southern Europe as a salad. Also, wild rocket, hedge
mustard. See notes on herbs.
- Rue
- A perennial evergreen shrub of the genus Ruta,
esp. Ruta graveolens, having bitter, strong-scented leaves
which were formerly much used for medicinal purposes. See notes on herbs.
- Sack
- OED: "A general name for a class of white wines formerly imported from
Spain and the Canaries." This includes, but is not limited to, sherry.
- Sanicle
- The umbelliferous plant Sanicula europæa (more
fully wood sanicle). Also, in extended sense, any plant of the genus
Sanicula, as S. marilandica, the black snakeroot. See
notes on herbs.
- Saxifrage
- Any plant of the genus Saxifraga, esp. S. granulata (White
Meadow Saxifrage). The numerous species are mostly dwarf herbs with
tufted foliage and panicles of white, yellow or red flowers; many root
in the clefts of rocks. See notes on herbs.
- Scabious
- Any of the herbaceous plants of the genus Scabiosa
(N.O. Dipsaceæ), formerly believed to be efficacious for
the cure of certain skin-diseases. See notes on
herbs.
- Scurvy grass
- A cruciferous plant, Cochlearia officinalis, believed to
possess anti-scorbutic properties. See notes on
herbs.
- Self-heal
- A name for various plants believed to have great healing
properties, esp. Prunella vulgaris (Common S.), Sanicula
europæa, and formerly Pimpinella Saxifraga (see pimpernel). See
notes on herbs.
- Skirret
- A perennial umbelliferous plant, Sium sisarum, a species
of water parsnip, formerly much cultivated in Europe for its esculent
tubers; the root of this plant. See notes on
herbs.
- Smallage
- One or other of several varieties of celery or parsley;
esp. wild celery or water parsley, Apium graveolens. See
notes on herbs.
- Sorrel
- One or other of certain small perennial plants belonging to the
genus Rumex, characterized by a sour taste, and to some extent
cultivated for culinary purposes; esp. the common wild species,
R. acetosa.
Wood sorrel The common name of Oxalis Acetosella, a
low-growing woodland plant having delicate trifoliate leaves and small
white flowers streaked with purple, appearing in spring. See
notes on herbs.
- Spignel
- The aromatic root of the umbelliferous plant Meum
athamanticum, used, when dried and ground, in medicine as a
carminative or stimulant, or as a spice in cookery. See
notes on herbs.
- Spike
- May be French Lavender (Lavandula Spica). See
notes on herbs.
- Spleenwort
- One or other of various ferns belonging to the genus
Asplenium; also, the genus itself. Hart's-tongue,
A. scolopendrium. See notes on herbs.
- Succory
- The plant Cichorium Intybus
(N.O. Compositæ), with bright blue flowers, found wild in
England, esp. by roadsides. Also, its leaves and roots used
medicinally and as food (cf. chicory, endive). See
notes on herbs.
- Sweetbriar
- A species of wild rose (R. rubiginosa) with fragrant
leaves and shoots. See notes on herbs.
- Tamarisk
- A plant of the genus Tamarix, esp. T. gallica, the
common tamarisk, a graceful evergreen shrub or small tree, with
slender feathery branches and minute scale-like leaves, growing in
sandy places in S. Europe and W. Asia, and now much planted by the
seashore in the south of England. See notes on
herbs.
- Tansy
- An erect herbaceous plant, Tanacetum vulgare,
N.O. Compositæ, tribe Corymbiferæ, growing
about two feet high, with deeply cut and divided leaves, and terminal
corymbs of yellow rayless button-like flowers; all parts of the plant
have a strong aromatic scent and bitter taste.
Formerly much used in medicine as a stomachic, and in cookery. See
notes on herbs.
Applied to other plants, esp. the Silverweed or Goose-grass,
Potentilla anserina, often distinguished as wild tansy and dog's or
goose tansy; also locally to Yarrow, Achillea Millefolium, and
Ragwort, Senecio Jacobæa
- Threepence
- Steve Mercer <steve.mercer@network.com> writes:
The threepence of Digby's time was a silver coin
worth three pennies. Measurements taken from "The
Standard Catalogue of British Coins" (1964) reveal
that silver threepence minted during the time of
Charles I (1625-1649) ranged in size from slightly
smaller than a US dime up to the size of a US nickel.
The most common size was about the diameter of a US
penny. In 1964, these coins were sold for prices up
to 62 British Pounds.
- Tormentilla, Tormentil
- A low-growing herb, Potentilla Tormentilla
(Tormentilla repens), N.O. Rosaceæ, of trailing
habit, common on heaths and dry pastures, bearing small four-petalled
yellow flowers, and having strongly astringent roots; in use from
early times in medicine, and in tanning. Also called septfoil. See
notes on herbs.
- Wallflower
- A plant of the genus Cheiranthus (N.O. Cruciferæ),
esp. C. Cheiri, growing wild on old walls, on rocks, in quarries,
etc., and cultivated in gardens for its fragrant flowers (normally
yellow or orange, though other colours are produced by
cultivation). Also called gilliflower. See
notes on herbs.
- Wall rue
- Also called Syrian rue, but I can't find any other information.
See notes on herbs.
- Whitewort
- A name for several plants with white flowers or roots: Feverfew; Solomon's seal; a species of camomile.
See notes on herbs.
- Woodbine
- A name for various plants of a climbing habit; in early use,
convolvulus and ivy. The common honeysuckle, Lonicera
Periclymenum, a climbing shrub with pale yellow fragrant
flowers. See notes on herbs.
- Wormwood
- The plant Artemisia Absinthium, proverbial for its bitter
taste. The leaves and tops are used in medicine as a tonic and
vermifuge, and for making vermouth and absinthe; formerly also to protect
clothes and bedding from moths and fleas, and in brewing ale. It
yields a dark green oil. Roman wormwood is A. pontica or
A. Absinthium; sea wormwood is A. maritima. See notes on herbs.
- Yarrow
- The common name of the herb Achillea Millefolium
(N.O. Compositæ), also called milfoil and nose-bleed, frequent on
roadsides, dry meadows, and waste ground, with tough greyish stem,
finely-divided bipinnate leaves, and close flat clusters of
flower-heads of a somewhat dull white, often varying to pink or
crimson; sometimes used medicinally as a tonic. See
notes on herbs.
- Walm
- The bubbling and heaving of water, etc. in process of boiling
(melting, etc.). Also, one such motion; a `wallop', a bubble. A spell
of boiling
- Wine quart
- 57.75 cu in (i.e. the same as the US Quart),
according to the
Measures
of Capacity FAQ
- Wine pint
- Presumably 1/2 a wine quart.