History Visits
Show and Tell
For my 'Show and Tell' style presentation, you will get me in full period costume, but there is limited audience participation.
During the talk I will hand around a variety of replica and reproduction objects, and some of the laminates from my display board showing the evidence.
All I need for a 'Show and Tell' is a table.
Sessions last approximately 45-60 minutes and cost £45 plus 45 pence per mile travel fee. Contact me here to book.
Choose from the following:
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Anglo-Saxon Magic and Medicine (charms and spells, plant and animal, and knife based magic and medicine from Dark-Age Engla-lond),
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Wynflaed - Lay-Abbess, Vowess, and King's Grandmother (aspects of life on a 10th century manor traced through her will, charters, archaeology, and science),
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'A Surfeit of Blood' (diagnosing a Medieval humoral imbalance through urine, bloodletting 3 ways, a plaster, and payment),
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'Arrow in the Face!' (John Bradmore's 1403 treatment of the future Henry V),
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'Flax and Flowerpots' (women's hair and head-dress in the 15th century),
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Recreating Historic Heads (some historic looks to try on your own head).
Flax and Flowerpots / Recreating Historic Heads
Anglo-Saxon Magic and Medicine
The Pagan Anglo-Saxon cunning woman makes a 'sealfe'.
10th century recipe, written in Old English, for an eye-salve from Bald's Leechbook - an ancient medicine proven to be very effective against a modern superbug!
A Surfeit of Blood / Arrow in the Face
Where do you think this goes? What do I do with a urine sample?
Illustration from a medical book of John of Arderne, showing a woman physician 'cupping' female patient.
After my talk, there's always time for folks to come and have a closer look and ask questions over a cup of tea!
Wynflaed (995 C.E.)
Lay-Abbess, Vowess, and King's Grandmother
Wynflaed is a fascinating character who links archaeology with literary evidence. Her will mentions her estates, (one of which has been identified in the landscape), as well as a multitude of belongings (including bed covers, horses, clothing, and 'utensils'), and some servants.
Scholars postulate that Wynflaed's daughter may have been St. Aelfgyfu of Shaftesbury and that Wynflaed was also associated with this religious establishment - her will bequeaths certain religious items and clothing.
