English Recipe Book, 17th century

Notebook containing medical and culinary recipes, mainly in a single late 17th century hand, which has also supplied an 'index' - or more properly a table of contents - to the recipes towards the rear of the volume. With additional contemporary matter on musical parts and notation.

late 17th century

1 volume 1 volume: 95 x 145 mm. 152 pp. (page 117 wanting, leaf representing pp. 150-1 torn out) + 27 leaves (final leaf loose). Contemporary limp vellum covers.

Donated by Mrs M. L. Pinsent, Oxford, January 2012

The compilation would appear to be of Scottish origin, in view of some of the medical authorities named ('My Lord Ruthven', p. 15, 'Doctor Cunningham', p. 25, 'Lady Kinkardin'. p. 28). Furthermore, the musical notation at the rear of the volume includes tunes assigned to various Scottish towns. The name 'Mr Thomas ?Fairey' is inscribed on the final loose leaf, in a 17th century hand, and elsewhere on the same leaf the date 1670.