Medieval Public Health Practice Paper 2011/2012

Students will have 90 minutes to complete the paper.

The paper is out of 50 marks

1) What can we learn about Medieval Public Health from Source A? Use the source and your own knowledge to answer the question.[6]

2) Study Source B and C. How far do these sources agree about the causes of disease in the Middle Ages? Use the sources and your own knowledge to answer the question. [9]

3) Study Source D. Are you surprised by the advice given on how to avoid disease? Use the source and your own knowledge to answer the question. [8]

4) How useful is Source E. when studying Medieval Public Health? Use the source and your own knowledge to answer the question. [8]

5) Does Source F. mean that the Church always assisted Medieval Public Health? Use the source and your own knowledge to answer the question. [9]

6) “The Church helped to improve Medieval Public Health”. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use the sources and your own knowledge to answer the question. [10]

What contribution did the church make in improving Public Health?

Background Information

The Middle Ages was a time of great upheaval and turmoil after the collapse of the Roman Empire and before the emergence of the Renaissance Period. Great epidemics affected the people of the Middle Ages, including the 1665 Plague and diseases like Leprosy. There was little understanding of the causes of disease and people looked to the Church and the Monarchs for assistance.

Source A.

A Bill of Mortality that shows the number of dead in London during the week beginning 16 th

December 1665. The Bill was published and posted around the city for the public to view.

Source B.

"Cause the human faeces and other filth lying in the streets and lanes in the city to be removed with all speed to places far distant, so that no greater cause of mortality may arise from such smells."

Demand from King Edward III that the Mayor of London clear the streets in 1349.

Source C.

Charles II using the King’s Evil to treat a person suffering from Scrofula.

Source D.

“When you get up in the morning, stretch your limbs, so that the natural heat is stimulated.Clear your nose and your chest by coughing, and clean your teeth and gums with the bark of some scented tree. Exercise in moderation, because it is good to be tired; it stimulates the natural heat”.

A selection from “The Preservation of Health” by TaddeoAlderotti, a 13th Century Italian doctor.

Source E.

Map of Norwich showing the Cathedral, hospitals, leper houses and alms houses.

Source F.

“But I must not conclude my work by omitting what he did for the poor outside the walls of the city Canterbury. He divided the main building into two, appointing one part for men oppressed by various kinds of infirmities and the other for women in a bad state of health. He also made arrangements for their clothing and daily food, appointing ministers and guardians to take all measures so that nothing should be lacking for them”.

An account from the monk Eadmer of the Canterbury cathedral about the Archbishop of Canterbury's efforts to build a hospital in the area.