The Church versus scientific learning

• The medical Renaissance in England, c.1500-c.1700 was a period of new learning, ideas and approaches to medicine
• After the Reformation in the mid-16th century, the power of the Church declined and science began to play a more influential role in learning
• Some scientists and doctors began to challenge the old ideas by asking questions and seeking evidence themselves
• Popular beliefs about the causes of disease and illness


  • Imbalance of the four humours
  • Bad air, or miasma
• The theory of the four humours had been discredited by c.1700, but most people still believed in the idea
• New medical ideas and discoveries

  • Small seeds spread in the air were observed using newly invented microscopes
  • Factors outside the human body (eg temperature), rather than the four humours inside the body
  • 'Animalcules' - tiny animals that could only be seen using a microscope
• These new ideas had little impact, as the general public continued to believe that illness was caused by an imbalance of the four humours
• Printing press

  Invention in the 15th century that allowed books to be printed rather than written out by hand
• The invention of the printing press meant that the Church no longer had control over what was written in books, and physicians and scientists were able to publish ideas that challenged people like Galen
• The Royal Society

  Founded in 1660 in London to support scientists in carrying out experiments, debating new ideas and sharing new discoveries
• The Royal Society was supported by Charles II, which increased the popularity and credibility of the organisation
• In 1665, the Royal Society began to issue its scientific journal
• In the 21st century, The Royal Society continues to publish scientific journals and carries out its mission across the UK and globally
• Medicine in Renaissance England changed little in terms of everyday practice. However, the development of science, new learning and new technology led to new ideas about the human body.