Happy St George's Day (Friday 23rd April 2021)
Continuing with John Gerard’s ‘The Herball’ 1597 Frontispiece
Some people think that the chap holding the Fritillary plant (bottom right), is a representation of William Shakespeare, who is also remembered on 23rd April. Whilst he would have been around in that time period, the plants being held by the lad indicates that there were some geographical implications i.e. the sweetcorn in his left hand originated from the Americas and the Fritillary flower possibly from Asia.
John Gerard used the term ‘Of Turkie’ in his description for both the sweetcorn and the flower.
Then there is the weird poem preceded by the reference to; ‘Martial seemeth to call Fritillas Abacus, or the Tables whereon men play at Dice, in the fifth booke of his Epigrams, writing to Galla.
The sad Boy now his nuts cast by,
Is call’d to Schoole by Masters cry:
And the drunke Dicer now betray’d
By Flattering Tables as he play’d,
Is from his secret tipling house drawne out,
Although the Officer he much besought,
&c.’
I have included a sketch of the Fritillary also known as: “Turkey-hen, Ginny-hen floure, Chequered Daffodill and Fritillarie, according to the Latine'. All of the fabric is made from a broken brolly (umbrella).
