EVELYN MORRIS

(Birth and Death unknown)

BIOGRAPHY:

Evelyn Morris was one in a long line of children sired by Gregory Morris. Evelyn’s mother Alice Fenton was an herbalist, a trade passed down through generations of Fenton women. Preferring to inherit the trade of those gone before her rather than life a life of toil in the fields, she decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps.

Alice was overwhelmed by her daughter’s capability for memorising recipes (as the family could neither read nor write) and the names and properties of various plants. One day Evelyn’s skills were to be tested to the limits!

Evelyn often accompanied her mother and aunt into London to buy and sell various herbs and salves at market.
On the 14th April 1471 however, something happened that would change Evelyn’s life. On the road to London they had heard news that King Edward IV had marched back to London to oppose Warwick but they continued on their journey, keen to make a profit at market. The market went ahead on the 13th and on the 14th the two armies clashed. Edward emerged with a decisive victory but his forces had not escaped injury.
The cry went out for surgeons and healers. Evelyn, being free spirited and determined, encouraged her party to stay behind and help the wounded. While her mother and aunt did their bit she was at one point left in charge of the care of 26 men! One of whom was the leading knight of a reputable band of archers, Sir Edward Northwood. He had been severely injured in the leg and the wound was at risk of infection. After dedicated care and attention from Evelyn his wound healed well. Sir Edward was so grateful for her efforts that he offered her a position as herbalist and healer within his retinue.

She duly accepted!

Evelyn’s skills were put to the test in the following month at the battle of Tewkesbury where she worked with a number of other women to heal the wounded. She now travels under the protection of the banner of Sir Edward.