Herbarium and herbal compiled by the Rev. William Whytehead, vicar of Atwick

The manuscript largely comprises plant specimens (several hundred of them) glued to the pages with detailed notes of identification of the leaves and flowers, their qualities and virtues, their preparation and where it was found growing. It also includes many herbal recipes and notes about poisons. The compiler, William Whytehead, has also included the odd cutting from newspapers and other printed sources and notes on the philosophy behind the study of botany: 'Each herb the footsteps of God's wisdom bears and every blade of grass his power declares'. There is also a loose letter containing a 'cure for the king's evil' (1768).

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