16-12-2024, 01:47 AM
Again, good points. Let us consider the following. Who would be in the market for a recipe or prescription consisting of plants which do not exist? One could argue that even though the called for plant was drawn incorrectly, it might be good enough for field foraging. I disagree, even back then awareness of confusing mushrooms and toadstools would put a reasonable person off of rolling the dice with alkaloid plants. Also, the maps appear to be star maps. My guess is that from childhood, most had sufficient dark skys and local lore to identify the zodiac from childhood. Not much market for that, but perhaps a market for astrological fortune telling. Since we cant read the VM, its anyone's guess.
So far on the surface of it, the manuscript appears to be something a trickster fabricated in order to get into the deep pocket of a well heeled customer. I am not surprised. In those times, were not alchemists retained by those who wished to get even richer? Greed is infinite. Put another way, a fool and their money are soon parted.
The VM would rise to entirely new heights if there were a single discernable thing about it that actually had value. Its not in the drawings, nor text. There is nothing that researchers can point to and say, there is some truth! There is nothing instructive. The nymphs are unexciting, the symbolism, if any is obtuse.
At this juncture, I am imclined to support the idea that in those times, having a book, any book, was a valuable prize. It made little difference if the owner was literate or not. A book meant, intelligence, accomplishment and amdegree of wealth. The owner of the VM, could pull it out and spin any clever yarn they fancied. Who could say differently.
So far on the surface of it, the manuscript appears to be something a trickster fabricated in order to get into the deep pocket of a well heeled customer. I am not surprised. In those times, were not alchemists retained by those who wished to get even richer? Greed is infinite. Put another way, a fool and their money are soon parted.
The VM would rise to entirely new heights if there were a single discernable thing about it that actually had value. Its not in the drawings, nor text. There is nothing that researchers can point to and say, there is some truth! There is nothing instructive. The nymphs are unexciting, the symbolism, if any is obtuse.
At this juncture, I am imclined to support the idea that in those times, having a book, any book, was a valuable prize. It made little difference if the owner was literate or not. A book meant, intelligence, accomplishment and amdegree of wealth. The owner of the VM, could pull it out and spin any clever yarn they fancied. Who could say differently.