The Role of Monasteries

Medicine Through Time – Medieval Medicine, c. 500-1500

In this course, Professor Miri Rubin (Queen Mary University) examines the medicine of medieval Europe. We start by looking at what medical knowledge was available during the middle ages. We then look at where this knowledge came from and who had access to it. We then turn to look at how the household was a centre for medical practice in the Middle Ages. Finally we examine how medicine professionalised during the Middle Ages.

The Role of Monasteries

In this module, we look at how medical knowledge was maintained and developed in the monasteries of Medieval Europe. We start by looking at the connection between the medieval world and the ancient one. It was from the ancient world that medieval europeans had an understanding of medicine. In particular, the monasteries across Europe maintained ancient texts and also developed practical skills to deal with illness and disease.