‘A doctor in the house’? The context for Anselm of Canterbury’s interest in medicine with reference to a probable case of malaria
Giles E. M. Gasper
This paper discusses the nature of Anselm Canterbury’s interest in medicine, an that has been noticed passing before but never properly explored. The evidence comes mainly from 1070s and 1080s when he was prior abbey Bec Normandy. His consistently arose duties responsibilities community life. It is part a textual revealed by requests for medical books Canterbury. also related to dynamic web monastic relations between Canterbury bound together friendship. Anselm’s letters reveal deep concern physical well-being members his practical care noted. A letter detailing symptoms two monks sent him exemplifies this. One cases highly suggestive malaria. not only demonstrates clarity observations, significant its own right history malaria Britain Anglo-Saxon period fourteenth century. medicine lies on cusp theological thought action. offers wider perspectives theme friendship eleventh twelfth centuries.
Journal of Medieval History