Medicine and the Bishop in Medieval England, c.1100-c.1400. (360G-Wellcome-103145_Z_13_Z)

This project investigates the role of medicine in the life of the late medieval bishop, through an examination of three key themes. The bishop as a beneficiary of medical knowledge and treatment considers both medical provision within the episcopal household, and the role of preventative medicine (especially the six non-naturals) in protecting the bishop's health. The bishop's medical knowledge examines the medical knowledge of the late medieval episcopate: what medical knowledge did the bishop did, where did he obtain it from, and how did he use it? Understanding the bishop's body explores the role of medical knowledge in the formation of episcopal reputations, suggesting that medical interpretations of the episcopal body could be crucial in the formation of a reputation for sanctity or failure. Overall, the project aims to combine medical and ecclesiastical history in order to provide a detailed case study of the impact of medicine on a particular social group, and thus to improve ou r understanding of the links and potential tensions between spiritual and medical understandings of health and well-being as they existed in late medieval England.