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In Course: GCSE History (Edexcel): Medicine & the Western Front

GCSE History: c1250–c1500: Medicine in medieval England

This deck covers all specification content for medieval medicine. It includes supernatural and rational ideas about the causes of disease (Four Humours, miasma), approaches to treatment (bloodletting, purging, herbal remedies), the roles of physicians, apothecaries, and barber surgeons, and a detailed case study on the Black Death of 1348-49, focusing on contemporary explanations and attempts at prevention.

A dimly lit medieval study, where a robed physician intently examines an intricate, unfurled star chart on a heavy wooden table, illuminated by the warm glow of a flickering candle. An ancient astrolabe and scrolls are arranged nearby, with a gothic arched window in the background revealing a glimpse of a moonlit sky, all composed for a 3:2 landscape.

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Deck Contents

38 Cards
Lesson#1
Welcome to this deck on medicine in medieval England, from around 1250 to 1500. In this period, people's lives were short, and disease was a constant threat. We'll explore what they believed caused illness, from the supernatural to the scientific, and how they tried to treat it. Understanding this is crucial for your GCSE History exam, as it sets the scene for all the medical changes that came later.
Lesson#2
In medieval England, religion dominated everyday life. So, it's no surprise that the most common explanation for disease was that it was a punishment from God for people's sins. Illness could also be seen as a test of faith. This belief was powerful because the Church was the centre of the community and the main source of all knowledge.
Quiz#3
What was the most common supernatural explanation for disease in medieval England?

punishment from God

Lesson#4
Another supernatural belief linked disease to the stars and planets. Physicians would consult star charts and check the alignment of the planets when diagnosing an illness. This practice, known as astrology, was considered a legitimate part of medicine.
Quiz#5
Besides God's will, what supernatural practice involving the planets was used to explain and diagnose disease?

astrology

Lesson#6
The Church's influence was immense. It controlled education, meaning that it decided what was taught to doctors at universities. The Church also ran most hospitals. For your exam, the Church is a key example of an institution that could limit medical progress. By discouraging new ideas and practices like dissection, it ensured that medicine changed very little for centuries.

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