‘Hospital treatment in England in the period from 1250-1500 was very rare’ How far do
you agree? Explain your answer
You may use the following in your answer:
• Charity hospitals
• Care in the home
You must use knowledge of your own [16 marks + 4 SPaG]
Charity hospitals
– Funded by endowment
– Forbade many patients
Care in the home
– Women with herbs
– Trusted
– Midwifes
Clergymen ran hospitals
– No surgery
– Blood letting
– Lots of prayer
Hospital treatment in England was rare but not very rare from 1250 to 1500 due to the
popularity of care in the home, the restrictions in hospitals about who could enter, and the
treatments clergymen could provide within hospitals.
Hospitals in the period 1250-1500 were not places dedicated to medical treatment and
focused more on care and respite. Care in the home was more popular as women were
trusted to be responsible for the healthcare of their families and neighbours. Their herbal
remedies were well respected and trusted to cure the patient. Women were midwives and
cared for infants, as physicians did not get involved in childbirth and hospitals forbade
pregnant women and infants from entering, therefore women were respected medical care
givers within their communities, making health care in the home more popular than hospital
treatment between 1250 and 1500, therefore making hospital treatment rare.
Secondly, hospitals were run by clergymen, who were restricted in the treatments they
could provide as religious rules prevented clergymen from cutting their patients. This rule
meant that clergymen, who were often the most highly trained medical professionals, were
unable to draw blood from patients or operate. This left surgery to barber surgeons, who
had no scientific medical knowledge of qualifications, and could endanger the patient’s
health and well-being. Treatment in hospitals mainly consisted of prayer and basic care such
as the provision of shelter, food and water. Overall, there was a rarity in effective treatment
that cured the patient, therefore, hospital treatment was rare in the period 1250 and 1500.
Lastly, hospitals rejected most of the people who were genuinely unwell. This included, the
crippled, people with severe wounds and terminal illnesses, and people with severe wounds
you agree? Explain your answer
You may use the following in your answer:
• Charity hospitals
• Care in the home
You must use knowledge of your own [16 marks + 4 SPaG]
Charity hospitals
– Funded by endowment
– Forbade many patients
Care in the home
– Women with herbs
– Trusted
– Midwifes
Clergymen ran hospitals
– No surgery
– Blood letting
– Lots of prayer
Hospital treatment in England was rare but not very rare from 1250 to 1500 due to the
popularity of care in the home, the restrictions in hospitals about who could enter, and the
treatments clergymen could provide within hospitals.
Hospitals in the period 1250-1500 were not places dedicated to medical treatment and
focused more on care and respite. Care in the home was more popular as women were
trusted to be responsible for the healthcare of their families and neighbours. Their herbal
remedies were well respected and trusted to cure the patient. Women were midwives and
cared for infants, as physicians did not get involved in childbirth and hospitals forbade
pregnant women and infants from entering, therefore women were respected medical care
givers within their communities, making health care in the home more popular than hospital
treatment between 1250 and 1500, therefore making hospital treatment rare.
Secondly, hospitals were run by clergymen, who were restricted in the treatments they
could provide as religious rules prevented clergymen from cutting their patients. This rule
meant that clergymen, who were often the most highly trained medical professionals, were
unable to draw blood from patients or operate. This left surgery to barber surgeons, who
had no scientific medical knowledge of qualifications, and could endanger the patient’s
health and well-being. Treatment in hospitals mainly consisted of prayer and basic care such
as the provision of shelter, food and water. Overall, there was a rarity in effective treatment
that cured the patient, therefore, hospital treatment was rare in the period 1250 and 1500.
Lastly, hospitals rejected most of the people who were genuinely unwell. This included, the
crippled, people with severe wounds and terminal illnesses, and people with severe wounds
