The Middleton Accounts of 1526: #24

The next entry in the Middleton household accounts for Sir Henry Willoughby in 1526 was probably dated 30th April. It is only probably because it was under the heading of April and was actually dated the 31st. It was described as a reward to someone who brought oranges from Birmingham. The amount was 2 pence, which was the equivalent of about £3.68 today.

The last entry we had for oranges was in “The Middleton Accounts of 1525: #5”. As mentioned in that post, Queen Catherine of Aragon was viewed as making oranges considerably more popular in England in the early 16th century. Oranges in that time would not have been eaten raw, but were either preserved, used in tarts, or used with fish or certain meats, especially birds.

Oranges were also valued in the 16th century for medicinal purposes. In the time of Francis Willughby, it is known that there were three copies at Middleton Hall of John Gerard’s The Herball. In that book Gerard wrote that oranges could stop itching, treat kidney stones, kill belly worms, resist poison and were good for relieving the sting from a scorpion. He added that the sweet and odoriferous flowers of the oranges were also used by the perfumers.

Orange tree in John Gerard's The Herball.

In terms of modern medical knowledge, Gerard is believed to have been completely incorrect in regard to the sting and the poison. Some compounds found in citrus plants do have some worm-killing properties but using oranges as a treatment for this is today considered unreliable. For the remaining two he is considered to have been partially correct. Orange peel does contain compounds that have minor anti-inflammatory and soothing effects for skin irritations and thus could soothe, to a degree, itching. Citrus fruits are high in citrate, which helps to prevent kidney stones from forming and, today, orange juice is sometimes recommended for patients as a preventative measure. However, they are not very effective at dissolving a formed stone.

Next entry: 5th May

Further Reading: W. H. Stevenson, Report on the Manuscripts of Lord Middleton, Historical Manuscripts Commission, 1911. p.382.

John Gerard, The Herball, 1636. p.1463.

Author - Debbie Jordan, Middleton Hall Volunteer.

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