The Boke of husbandry and the Boke of kervynge were two practical guides for everyday life–one on how to farm, and the other on how to serve at table– and are unique surviving copies printed by William Caxton’s collaborator and successor Wynkyn de Worde. The Boke of husbandrye provided detailed instructions on how best to breed and look after many different farm animals, the use of manure in improving the fields, and the sowing of seeds in the correct season. The final section discusses the successful growing of fruit trees and vines.

This volume has been digitised in full: to view this, click ‘Open Digital Library’.

Sel.5.13 (Royal Library)