Peony: Paeonia officinalis – Peonies, one of the nine official medieval herbs, were grown in all infirmary and kitchen gardens as well as the pleasure garden. The seeds were used to flavour meat and ‘fifteen taken in wine is a special remedie for those that are troubled with night mare’.
White Dead-Nettle: Lamium album – Possessing no sting and botanically unrelated to the stinging nettle, the dead-nettle was used to reduce inflammation. The candied flowers made a ‘good colour in the face and vital spirits more fresh and lively’.
The Physic Garden Booklet, Michelham Priory
I had some seeds of peony in my bag and asked Sam for some wine. He broke a bottle head from some stacked in the cellar and I was able to get Jeremiah to swallow them washed down with what was probably the most expensive of wines. I hoped they would calm his fears and would achieve some deep sleep that would be restorative.
Amongst my dried herbs, all individually wrapped in a square of paper, I sought some white dead-nettle. I had no flowers but the rest would do well to reduce the inflammation round the wound. I would use this herb when next I changed the bandage if indeed he was still alive.
It was late in the morning when I heard harsh voices above me. My Aunt Tilly appeared and came down the ladder. She was dressed as a man and her stony features gave no indication of feminine care.
‘Well Esther, Sam says you have done well and Jeremiah is on the mend.’
‘There is no certainty of that,’ I said. ‘He is quieter but could still succumb to infection inside the body. I have no way of dealing with that – you must just hope and perhaps pray.’
She snorted. ‘We don’t place no value on praying girl, we must look to ourselves for all that we do and achieve.’
She sat down beside her son and looking down on him I thought I saw a flicker of love but it was gone when next she fixed me with her cold gaze.
Sam be going to Lewes to fetch little Beth. When Jeremiah is better you can see her back at Southease. You will both settle with us now and be wed to Sam. As his wife you will be part of the family as your mother was before she ran away. See this as retribution for what she did in leaving me to fend for myself with the old man. Her mouth was fixed in a tight line as she studied my reaction to this wicked plan.
My mind barely took this monstrous idea in before I snapped, ‘No! I won’t wed Sam and Mrs Jenkins will not give Beth to him.’
She laughed coarsely fixing me with a hard stare. ‘She will, my girl, and we will take a letter written and signed by you to that purpose. You be with us now and will earn your keep with your skills in the kitchen and herbs. You’ll be our own medicine woman, there will be much for you to do.’
‘Sam, bring some brandy we will drink to your new woman, soon to be your wife.’