Mariana Reynoso

Medieval Superstitions & Medicine

Use the following websites to start your research:
1. http://listverse.com/2014/03/03/10-completely-uncanny-superstitions-from-the-middle-ages/
2. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8913709/Tony-Robinson-on-the-top-fivesuperstitions-that-gripped-medieval-Britain.html
3. http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/13-strange-superstitions
4. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/health_and_medicine_in_medieval_.htm
5. http://listverse.com/2013/07/31/10-bizarre-medieval-medical-practices/
6. https://www.aimseducation.edu/blog/medieval-medical-practices-still-use-today/
After skimming the websites above, choose the 1 superstition AND the 1 medical
practice that intrigue you the MOST. Continue your narrowed research to learn the
specific details of each. Compile a list of at least 10 facts about each. Bookmark the
website(s) where you found your information on your Pearltrees account.
Superstition: The Royal Touch
People believed that the monarchs had the royal touch and could heal a
disease by touch.
You didn't matter what social class you were in everybody could get the
royal touch.
The Royal touch was most commonly applied to people suffering from
tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis. The disease often went into remission on its
own, giving the impression that the monarchs touch cured it.
The claimed power was most notably exercised by monarchs who sought to
demonstrate the legitimacy of their reign or of their newly found dynasties.
The Royal Touch originally started with kings & queens from England.
Henry VII was the first monarch to establish the Royal Touch.
The ritual was usually done between Michaelmas and Easter.
It was believed that the treatment was more effective on a holy day.
The monarch usually touched the face or the neck of the infected person.
They would read passages from the Gospel of Mark & the Gospel of John
during the Royal Touch was performed.

Title of Website:
https://www.aimseducation.edu/blog/medieval-medical-practices-still-use-today/

Medical Practice: Bloodletting

Bloodletting is still used today & is now known as Phlebotomy.
Bloodletting was used to cure sore throats, the plague, & other diseases.
Bloodletting is now used as a treatment for some rare diseases, & is
sometimes still carried out using leeches.
Bloodletting was the most common type of surgery back then.
Bloodletting was first performed in Egypt around 1000 BCE.
It was known that blood or other body fluids were called humors &
bloodletting maintained a proper balance in your health.
Church edicts started to prohibit monks & priests from performing
bloodletting, saying that the church hated bloodletting.
Charles II & George Washington both died due to losing excessive blood
caused by bloodletting
The main instruments used for bloodletting were called lancets & fleams.