Norman

Medicine

The causes of illness and disease were not properly understood until the Twentieth Century. Many different diseases were all called the plague!

Medical ideas were based on the theories of the Roman, Galen, who had died in A.D. 200. Amazingly, his daft ideas were believed for more than a 1000 years! The impact of doctors on life and death was very slight.

Most people, both before and after the Normans conquered, relied on homely remedies made by the women. Villages had at last one experienced herbalist who could concoct some sort of cure. Some were better than others.

These days there is great interest again in old style 'natural' cures.

What sort of cures could the plant and the bee provide?

Click the picture for an answer.