Medieval Medicine 101: How to Heal Wounds like a 14th-Century Friar

During the 14th century, Franciscan friars played a significant role in medieval England as both spiritual leaders and skilled practitioners of medicine. They treated a wide range of patients, from commoners to nobility, and their treatments combined practical medical knowledge with ritual and charm. The surviving manuscripts and records reveal a rich and varied picture of friars as healers, showcasing their holistic approach to medicine that integrated both physical and spiritual elements. Notable examples include William Appleton, a Franciscan physician who served as the personal physician of John of Gaunt, and John Bruyll, a Franciscan friar who compiled and annotated medical texts, including a ritual to promote conception. The medical practices of friars demonstrate their multifaceted roles in medieval society, highlighting their contributions to the care of the body and the soul.