Place of Origin

England ➔ Somerset

Date of Composition

ca. 1650-1740

Description

This recipe book of approximately 130 pages (with many blanks) was written by three generations of women of the Helyar family, of Coker Court, in the English county of Somerset. The Helyars of Coker Court were descended from William Helyar (1559-1645), Archdeacon of Barnstaple and a chaplain to Queen Elizabeth I. He purchased Coker Court in 1616. Contributors to the recipe book include Rachel Wyndham Helyar (1621?-1697); her daughter-in-law Joanna Hole Helyar (died 1714); and Joanna's two daughters, Rachel Helyar, Lady Coryton (died 1711), and Johanna Helyar (died 1767).

Most of the recipes in the book are medical, but there are also a small number of recipes for preserving fruits and flowers. Many of the recipes are attributed to family members and neighbors.