Andrew Boorde facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andrew Boorde
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| Born | c. 1490 Boords Hill, Holms Dale, Sussex, England
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| Died | April 1549 (aged c. 60) |
| Occupation | traveller, physician, writer |
Andrew Boorde (or Borde) (around 1490 – April 1549) was an English traveler, physician (doctor), and writer. He lived during the time of King Henry VIII.
Contents
Who Was Andrew Boorde?
Andrew Boorde was born at Boords Hill in Sussex, England. He went to the University of Oxford to study. When he was young, he joined a religious group called the Carthusian order. This meant he lived a very strict life.
Later, he was allowed to leave the religious order. He said he couldn't handle "the strictness of your religion."
His Travels and Studies
After leaving the monastery, Andrew Boorde traveled to other countries to study medicine. He visited many universities in places like Orléans, Poitiers, Toulouse, Montpellier, and Wittenberg. He also learned about surgery in Rome. He even went on a religious trip to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
In 1534, Boorde was back in London. He wrote to Thomas Cromwell, a powerful advisor to King Henry VIII. Cromwell helped him become free from his old religious promises.
A Secret Mission
It seems Cromwell then asked Boorde to travel again. This time, his job was to find out what people in other countries thought about the English king. Boorde sent letters to Cromwell from many places. From Catalonia in Spain, he even sent seeds of rhubarb to England. This was 200 years before rhubarb was commonly grown there!
In 1536, he was studying medicine in Glasgow, Scotland. He spent time with important Scottish leaders. He wrote down his thoughts about the Scottish people.
Around 1538, Boorde went on his longest journey. He visited almost all the countries in Europe, except Russia and Turkey. He even traveled all the way to Jerusalem. He wrote a detailed diary of these travels, but it was sadly lost.
His Later Life and Works
Andrew Boorde eventually settled in Montpellier, a city in France. Before 1542, he finished writing some important books. One was called Fyrst Boke of the Introduction of Knowledge. This book is considered one of the earliest guidebooks for travelers in Europe. He also wrote books about health, like his Dietary and Brevyary.
He probably returned to England around 1542. He lived in Winchester and perhaps Pevensey. Andrew Boorde was known for being a doctor. Some people said he traveled around like a "quack doctor" (someone who sells fake medicines) at country fairs. This might be why the term "Merry Andrew" (meaning a clown or jester) became linked to him. He passed away in April 1549 while in prison.
Andrew Boorde's Writings
Andrew Boorde wrote books about health and travel. His most famous book was The Fyrst Boke of the Introduction of Knowledge. In this book, he described people from different countries. He wrote about their habits and even included short conversations in different languages, like Cornish.
His real books include:
- Here foloweth a Compenyous Regiment or Dyetary of health, made in Mountpyller (published around 1542). This book was about healthy eating and living.
- The Brevyary of health (published around 1547). This book also focused on health.
- The Princyples of Astronamy (published around 1547). This book was about astronomy.
- The Peregrination of Doctor Board. This was a record of his travels.
- A Pronostycacyon or an Almanacke for the yere of our lorde MCCCCCXLV. This was an almanac, like an old-fashioned calendar with predictions.
