Tudor Medicine

Girls in Year 8 enjoyed the opportunity to learn about Tudor medicine on Tuesday when they took part in a workshop about the life and work of a Tudor Barber Surgeon.

In Tudor times Barber Surgeons were medical practitioners who performed surgery, unlike doctors who were mainly theory based professionals and very expensive to hire. They learnt their trade as an apprentice working with other Barber Surgeons helping the seriously wounded. They were called Barber Surgeons as originally many were trading as Barbers. As they were able to use sharp tools and good with their hands they were granted a licence to practice surgery.

The workshop covered all aspects of early medicine and also included the developments in treatment and technology of the early Renaissance period. Girls learnt that with the creation of more trade shops opening in towns along with discoveries and advances around the world, people sought out different treatments.

Girls were able to have hands on experience of medicines and items used for medical treatment during the session including a snake skin, dentist tools and teeth and surgical tools such as knives and scissors that would have been used to remove lead bullets and arrows from soldiers in battle.

Mrs Tinnelly, Head of History said “The Barber Surgeon workshop is a fun and interesting way for the girls to see exactly what medical treatments were like in Tudor times. Year 8 were thoroughly engaged all the way through the workshop and being able to handle and see equipment was a fantastic way for them to understand what they are learning in History.”

For more information contact:

Rebecca Conroy, Senior Marketing Executive, Pipers Corner School. Telephone 01494 719850 or email [email protected] | www.facebook.com/PipersCornerSchool | @PipersCornerSch