Herbals, Their Origin and Evolution: A Chapter in the History of Botany 1470-1670

A study traces the development of European printed herbals from the late fifteenth to the seventeenth century, examining how botanical knowledge and plant illustration evolved alongside printing. It surveys classical and medieval antecedents, major fifteenth- and sixteenth-century compilations and vernacular traditions, and developments in England, combining botanical analysis with attention to woodcuts and engravings. The author relies on primary herbals and reproductions, discusses editorial and bibliographical issues, and includes appendices of principal works and references. Emphasis is placed on the changing methods of description, illustration styles, and the relationship between medical, botanical, and artistic practices that shaped the printed herbal tradition.