Talk on The Syon Abbey Herbal 1517

Next meeting of Hounslow and District History Society

The Syon Abbey Herbal 1517: The Last Monastic Herbal in England is the subject of the forthcoming meeting of the Hounslow and District History Society on 29 November 2016 at the United Reformed Church Hall, Chapel Road, Hounslow TW3 1UL commencing at 7.45pm. The speaker is John Adams, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a member of Syon Abbey Research Associates.

Mr Adams will explain details of the Herbal, of which he co-published a transcription. It was written by the last known librarian at Syon, Thomas Betson between 1481 and his death in 1516. The Herbal contains the names of some 700 plants and 400 remedies, as well as directions in Latin on the diagnosis of ladies’ illnesses.

This promises to be a most revealing lecture about Syon, our well-known and televised local stately home with Syon Abbey itself under the lawns. Non-Members of the society are welcome with an entrance fee of £2.00 which includes tea or coffee and biscuits.

November 24, 2016