Medieval Medicine [F-21-12]

Medieval medicine combined elements of science, religion, folk remedies and magic in a fascinating mix. Medical practitioners were just as varied—herbalists and wise women, monks and nuns, barber-surgeons and university-trained physicians. This class will examine the theory and practice of medieval medicine.

John Payne is Director of Libraries at St. Lawrence University. His scholarly interest is medieval intellectual history, especially the role of science and magic in medieval thought. He has taught several college courses on the subject including Faith and Reason in the European World, Magic in the Middle Ages, and Medieval Science and Magic.

Other Information:

Bald’s Leechbook (an Anglo-Saxon book of cures): https://archive.org/details/leechdomswortcun02cock/page/n53/mode/2up

The Venerable Bede on Bishop John of Beverley’s healing miracles: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/basis/bede-book5.asp

Report of the University of Paris Medical Faculty on the Black Death: https://web.stanford.edu/class/history13/Readings/Horrox.htm

Geoffrey Chaucer, The Physician, from the Canterbury Tales: http://www.librarius.com/canttran/genpro/genpro413-446.htm

Special Instructions: You will be emailed a Zoom invite two days before the class starts. Click on the link in the invite to open your Zoom app.

Cap: 100