Religious beliefs and superstitions

• In medieval England (c.1250-c.1500), people did not generally use science to understand medical conditions
• England had a very religious society
• Religious beliefs and superstition


  Used to explain, diagnose and decide on treatments for illness
• The Church had great influence over people's lives in England
• People were very religious and followed the teachings of the Catholic Church
• Illness and disease


  Believed to be sent by God as a punishment for sin or a test of a person's faith
• Astrology


  Used to diagnose disease and illness
• The use of astrology to diagnose illness and disease became more popular after the Black Death
• Physicians in medieval England were always men as women could not go to university
• Medicine in medieval England was based on religious, supernatural and rational ideas. The Church held great power over the practice of medicine. This was clear in the case of the Black Death, which reached Britain in 1348.