Dear colleagues,
*With apologies for cross-posting*
The next seminar in the 2015/16 History of Pre-Modern Medicine series takes place next Tuesday (10th November) with Prof Owen Davies (University of Hertfordshire).
‘Executing magic: the healing power of criminal corpses in European popular culture’
Abstract:
The use of criminal corpses in early modern healing has been explored in a number of studies, likewise the role of the continental executioner as quasi-official healer. So this talk looks at subjects that
are usually considered to be early modern topics (rather like European witchcraft), and assesses the extent to which, and in what ways, ‘early modern’ corpse medicine and the executioners’ healing function continued into the 19th century. To this end, the talk
will consider the effect on popular healing practices of changing execution and post-mortem punishment practices across Europe, such as the use of the hangman’s rope, and how in popular medical beliefs the criminal corpse was thought to give life through its
touch, blood and body parts. The impact on corpse medicine of the changing status of the executioner and the rise of new custodians of the criminal dead will also be considered.
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The seminar will take place in the Wellcome Library, 183 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE.
Doors open at 6pm prompt, the seminar will start at 6.15pm.
With best wishes,
Ross
Ross MacFarlane
Research Engagement Officer
Wellcome Library
Wellcome Trust
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