10 Herbs to Calm the Nerves, Henry V – a real goody two shoes – or is he? A letter to the editor and a fabulous new quiz – July’s issue of ‘The Chastity Belt.’

For our 2022 advent calendar, we decided to create a set of magazine covers in the likeness of Dolly or Cosmopolitan that capture the medieval essence. If such a journal could have existed, what sort of articles would it have contained? Anything and everything to assist the young maiden about to set out on her life’s journey as a wife and mother, and once there, all the information needed to be a good spouse and keep her husband satisfied, and at home when not away soldiering.

Such were our efforts that we now find ourselves tasked with writing some of these articles! Well, why not? It might be fun… So please enjoy the snippets below from the July issues of The Chastity Belt.

It must also be mentioned that some articles in these blogs are written as they would have appeared directly in the ‘magazine’, whilst others, due to wanting to be as informative as possible, are written from the present-day point of view. Either way, please enjoy.

10 HERBS TO CALM YOUR NERVES

Anxiety is a dreadful condition that can greatly affect the lives of sufferers and the way they interact with friends and family members. Modern medicine has been able to provide many effective treatments to assist people dealing with anxiety, but what was available in the medieval period?

Traditionally you would seek the assistance of a local healer, who would mix up a concoction of herbs proven to help calm nervous behaviour. But which herbs were used and are they still considered effective today? The following lists the top 10 herbs that where cultivated for anxiety –

Ashwagandha

Often referred to as Withania somnifera, ashwagandha is among a group of herbs called “adaptogens.”

Adaptogens affect systems and hormones that regulate a person’s stress response. Ashwagandha has a long history of use in traditional Indian, or Ayurvedic, medication.

Chamomile

Chamomile is a flowering herb similar in appearance to a daisy. People can use two types of chamomile medicinally: Roman chamomile and German chamomile.

Chamomile is used in various forms, such as;

tea
extract
tablet
skin cream

Valerian

Valerian, or Valeriana officinalis, is a plant native to Europe and Asia. For centuries, people have used the root to help treat sleep problems, anxiety, and depression.

Lavender

Lavender is a flowering plant in the mint family that’s easily identified by its sweet floral scent. It’s believed to be native to the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and India, with a history dating as far back as 2,500 years.

In ancient times, lavender was used as a holy herb. Additionally, it was often used to freshen up and give a light scent to a variety of personal items, such as clothes and hair but is most notably used to help with anxiety and sleeplessness.

Galphimia Glauca

Galphimia Glauca, also known as rain of gold, golden showers, thryallis and shower of gold, is a flowering shruis a plant species native to Mexico. Traditionally used it as a tranquilizer to reduce anxiety, it is also known to relieve chest pain and is high in vitamin C.

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm leaves are used in teas and also as a flavouring and it is also grown as an ornamental plant for its flowers. Lemon Balm was particularly popular during the Tudor period where it was scattered across the floor to help conceal bad odours.

St John’s Wort

Hypericum perforatum, known as St. John’s wort can be found across temperate areas of Eurasia and has been introduced as an invasive weed to much of North and South America, as well as South Africa and Australia and though it has a long list of side effects it is still commonly used to help relive anxiety

Skullcap

Skullcap (sometimes spelled scullcap) is the common name for Scutellaria, a genus of flowering plants in the mint family. Various parts of skullcaps, such as their roots and leaves, have been used in traditional Chinese and Native American medicine to treat a variety of ailments, ranging from diarrhea to chronic pain. Today, this plant is widely available in supplement form and purported to provide an array of health benefits, from boosting heart health to relieving anxiety.

Passion Flower

Passiflora incarnata, commonly known as maypop, purple passionflower, true passionflower, wild apricot, and wild passion vine, is a fast-growing perennial vine with climbing or trailing stems. A member of the passionflower genus Passiflora, the maypop has large, intricate flowers with prominent styles and stamens. Historically, the plant has been used as a herbal medicine, with a tea made from the roots is used as a tonic.

Motherwort

Leonurus cardiaca, known as motherwort, is an herbaceous perennial plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. Other common names include throw-wort, lion’s ear, and lion’s tail. Stachydrine is extracted from the leaves of Motherwort which has demonstrated various bioactivities for the treatment of fibrosis, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, uterine diseases, brain injuries, inflammation and anxiety.

HENRY V – A REAL GOODY TWO SHOES! OR IS HE?

Henry V, born 16 September 1386, was a man of contradictions. King of England until his death in 1422, he is remembered for his piety and chivalry, yet his youth is marked with both lascivious and salacious behaviour and though he did often act fairly and prudently, in the aftermath of his victory at Agincourt took the unprecedented step of ordering the execution of all unarmed prisoners. So, was he the greatest warrior of the medieval period, or a confused goody two shoes?

Henry gained a great deal of military experience fighting the Welsh during the revolt of Owain Glyndŵr where he distinguished himself on multiple occasions. In his youth he played the part of a typical prince – lusty and loud, he was not averse to enjoying the very best life had to offer. But, with the dwindling health of his father he took a more avid interest in politics, which led to disagreements between the two. After his father’s death in 1413, Henry assumed control of the country and asserted the English claim to the French throne.

In 1415, Henry embarked on war with France. His first military campaign included his famous victory at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. By 1420, his armies had captured Paris and had come close to conquering the whole of medieval France. After months of negotiation with Charles VI, the 1420 Treaty of Troyes recognised Henry V as regent and heir apparent to the French throne. To seal the deal, he subsequently married Charles’s daughter, Catherine of Valois. However, he died two years later and was succeeded by his only child, the infant Henry VI. There is a vast array of books, texts, papers, and essays analysing Henry’s reign. He was widely praised for his personal religious beliefs, bravery and military genius even by contemporary French chroniclers, but his occasionally cruel temperament and lack of focus on domestic affairs also attracted criticism. Nonetheless, his militaristic pursuits during the Hundred Years’ War created a strong sense of English nationalism and set the stage for the rise of England and then later Britain to prominence as a dominant global power. Was he a goody two shoes? I think that highly unlikely.

The following short video (featuring Kenneth Branagh) depicts the famous Feast of St Crispin’s Day speech, as delivered by King Henry V in Shakespeare’s Henry V history play (act 4 scene 3). The scene is set on the eve of the battle of Agincourt at the English camp in northern France, which took place on 25 October 1415 (Saint Crispin’s Day). Through the course of the speech, Henry V motivates his men – his ‘band of brothers’, outnumbered greatly by the French – by recalling previous English military defeats of the French.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Ladies, I refer to the article ‘KNIGHTS TEMPLAR – ARE THEY STILL RELEVANT? KING PHILIPPE SAYS THEY ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A BAND OF BUFFOONS!

What is this nonscience! I have heard clear, from many a source, that they do not squabble nor act inappropriately, but remain a serious and dedicated group of knights, determined to bring the true word of God to every corner of the infidel world. Yes, they are wealthy, but why should they not be so, given their dedication to the work of our Lord.

’Tis but a coward who sits behind the protective walls of his tower and points his finger at those far more courageous than he will ever be. Has the French king given up his soft bed for the unyielding cobblestone of a religious crusade? I think not!

Those who have revealed the details of the Templars supposed ‘secret ceremony’, should perhaps take care that their own private affairs do not reach the ears of Pope Boniface, else they may also feel the flames of injustice licking at their heels!

Anonymous Indignant Lady of the Court

COULD YOU RULE A KINGDOM? – TAKE OUR QUIZ

Catherine A Wilson co-writes with Catherine T Wilson (no relation). Their first book, The Lily and the Lion, was based upon their true-life accidental meeting and resulting friendship. All four books in their ‘Lions and Lilies’ series have won first place prizes in the Chatelaine/Chaucer Awards in the US and in 2019, The Traitor’s Noose won the Grand Prize Chaucer Award.