Book that ‘inspired’ Romeo and Juliet potion on display in Leeds

A book believed to have inspired Shakespeare to write potions into Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth is being displayed at Leeds Central Library.

The Herbal, also known as General historie of plantes was written by Elizabethan herbalist John Gerard and published in 1597. The book features details such as names and growing places of every plant known to western botanists in that time period, it is widely believed that Shakespeare used this book to help devise potions for his plays.

Dr Steve Nash, lecturer and award-winning poet says that Shakespeare often wrote about nature and natural landscapes.

“There is a constant thread in most of Shakespeare’s work about this yearning for a lost ideal, a lost Eden or a lost rural world.

“Particularly this idea of the rural being somehow better, it is a space that is away from the pressures of society, of things to do with class and money.”

The book is part of the library’s new exhibition titled Unearthed: The Power of Gardening, a display of books and art installations that explore the positive impact of gardening on countless people.

Source: Georgia Lee

Antony Ramm, who is the special collection librarian said: “Gardening is one of those rare and wonderful common threads through history which has inspired so much dedication, passion and joy for people from all walks of life in completely different eras.

“The centuries of accumulated wisdom that we have on display at the library also capture that impulse which generations of gardeners have had to pass on their knowledge and encourage others to create beautiful gardens of their own.

“That desire to cultivate a shared, enriching experience really encapsulates the power that gardening has to bring people together to positively change and shape the world around them.”

Source: Georgia Lee

The exhibition also features a multimedia installation titled The Speaking Garden, a project by Buffalo Sound Design that creates a ‘garden of voices’ by playing audio clips gardeners have submitted describing what gardening means to them. The team are inviting anyone wanting to be a part of The Speaking Garden to record themselves and submit it to the library.

Councillor for communities, Mary Harland said: “Like gardening, libraries play a huge role in bringing people together and encouraging them to challenge themselves, learn and be inspired by the work of others.

“It’s wonderful to see the library’s remarkable collection being used to celebrate a subject which has brought so much life to the city and which continues to be a source of pride for our communities.”

The exhibition is set to run until October 29th and is free of charge.