Leechcraft: Early English Charms, Plantlore, and Healing Paperback – 28 Nov. 2022

Great work by Stephen. Using this as part of my dissertation. Very informative

This book definitely isn't the book for a total newcomer to Anglo-Saxon leechcraft and magical practice, but is quite simply vital for anyone who is seriously studying this subject, having fundamental Old English texts in the original with modern English translations on the opposite pages. Pollington also gives a good deal of background information - for example, details about the ingredients used in various charms.I read Brian Bates's "Way of Wyrd" and "The Real Middle Earth" before buying Pollington's and they give a general "flavour" of the subject - but Pollington gives the hard facts in enormously satisfying detail.

This book is daunting, But once I got over the fact that, you have both anglo-saxon and translation, I was able to start. This isn't a book you just read. Make sure you have many a notebook to write down what will be of use to you. And don't be as daunted as me. It looks more like a Uni text and at my age thats scary. But I am determined as it is one of the most sought after books on this subject.

Excellent book. Throughly recommended.

A really useful book with some fantastic text to work with.

Excellent

Perfect condition

I used this book for my dissertation and I must say it is a fantastically valuable resource. It is a weighty academic tome that covers all areas that you'd expect to cover from a book such as this. There is no new age fluff here. It is impartial and committed in showing the Old English charms and medical texts as Christian folk magic and medicine practised by people who saw themselves as Christians. Pollington avoids the temptation to seek some inherent paganism in the charms in favour of a view that takes them as they are and in their entirety and places them into their context while also seeking information as to the role of 'doctors' and folk magic in Anglo-Saxon society. Most helpfully, the book also includes complete translations of the three major Old English medical texts with the facing original language which if you're seeking to use this book of academic purposes is absolutely invaluable.Overall, a fine book that isn't really for those without knowledge of Anglo-Saxon England, but does contain useful introductions giving a brief overview of the history. It contains the original texts as well as extensive writing on different aspects of their survival and context as well as speculation as to their use and considerations of some archaeology in the appendices.

Research.

This tome is an excellent primer of medical knowledge that we know existed during Anglo-Saxon England. For that aspect alone, this is well worth the money.The main body of the text consists of the Lacnunga, Herbarium, and Bald's Leechbook. What makes this even more valuable as a work is that it consists of the original old English as well as the translations rendered in modern English.Another review mentioned this book in relation to witchcraft. In the classic sense, yes.... There is material of use that gives insight into materials and methods that cunning folk and healers might have used. However, this is a scholarly work and does not bare any resemblance to the new-age drivel that has become synonymous with witchcraft.Additionally, I owned both the paperback and hardcover copies of this book. The paperback is much easier to find and is considerably cheaper. However, the hardcover copy was produced quite well and is a worthy addition to ones home library.In any case, I highly reccomend this book to those interested in Anglo-Saxon England. Many Heathens will find the subject matter to be of interest as well.

Jam-packed full of useful information. It's so informative in fact that it can be overwhelming at times. Pollington has a knack for taking something that might be considered dry academia and turning it into something palatable for the layman. It's also nice to have copies of the Lacnunga Manuscript, Bald's Leechbook and the Herbarium contained in one book. Certainly saves me having to buy the lot. I wouldn't think this is a book one should buy if they are simply dipping their toes into the A-S heathen pond as it were, but for those of you who are quite a ways down the rabbit hole already, it should make a welcome addition to your collection.

Very thoroughly researched and presented. It could have used some more illustrations.

A compendium of ancestral wisdom is hidden in these pages. The kind of book that should be treasured and kept with care and love, and certainly a solid reference source for those inclined to seeking out roots of a strong healing tradition. I am deeply thankful for the work and effort the author has put into this book, and recommend it alongside his other books. Stephen Pollington has my profound respect as a true Elder of Ancestral Traditions, without any fluff or new-age mumbo jumbo!