The Medieval Apothecary: The Skilled Healer Who Prepared Medicines in the Middle Ages

The Medieval Apothecary: The Skilled Healer Who Prepared Medicines in the Middle Ages

Today I want to continue our look into medieval jobs, and this time I want to take a look at the medieval apothecary. You may recognise the name, but I think we often forget how important these people were during the Middle Ages. Before modern pharmacies, hospitals, or antibiotics, apothecaries played a huge role in helping people to manage illness, pain, and injury.

The word apothecary comes from the Greek word apotheke, which means storehouse. In the early medieval period, much of the knowledge about healing came from ancient Greek and Roman writers, alongside monastic medicine. Monasteries were also very important because the monks usually grew medicinal herbs in their gardens. They also copied medical texts by hand. Remedies were usually made from plants, spices, oils, minerals, and sometimes even animal products.

Willow bark was often used for headaches. Honey was used for wounds because it could help to keep them clean. Coughs and sore throats were treated with syrups made from honey, liquorice, or herbs like thyme. For stomach problems, they used mint and fennel. Some remedies actually worked.

Some remedies that were used by medieval apothecaries are still recognised today. Willow bark, for example, contains natural compounds that are similar to those used in aspirin for pain relief. Honey is still used to help sore throats and can also help with wound care. Herbs like mint, fennel, and chamomile are still commonly used to help with digestion, relaxation, and mild stomach discomfort.

As towns and cities started to grow during the High Middle Ages, the role of the apothecary became a lot more specialised. Rather than medicine being prepared just in monasteries or by local wise women, trained apothecaries began opening up shops. 

An apothecary’s job was to make and sell remedies. They created ointments, syrups and powders. 

Many apothecaries worked closely with physicians. In wealthier towns, a physician would often diagnose the patient and then decide what treatment was needed. The apothecary then prepared the medicine. But most ordinary people could not afford a physician and so the apothecary may well have been the first person they turned to.

Training to become an apothecary took years. Most learned as apprentices. They would have learned under experienced masters. They needed to be able to recognise hundreds of ingredients, understand how to measure and mix them correctly, and know how long remedies would keep before they spoiled. Mistakes could be dangerous even fatal.

During outbreaks of diseases like the Black Death, apothecaries would have had to face the fear and the danger, but they were often helpless to do anything about it.

Medieval apothecaries helped to lay the foundations for the modern pharmacy. 

Do you think that you would have trusted a medieval apothecary’s remedies?

Judy the Pointer: The Brave Ship’s Dog Who Became a Prisoner of War

Judy the Pointer: The Brave Ship’s Dog Who Became a Prisoner of War

  

Today I want to tell you about one of the most incredible animal stories of the Second World War. I have been finding out about Judy, a liver-and-white Pointer dog who became more than just a ship’s mascot. She was a loyal companion, a protector, and the only dog officially registered as a prisoner of war during the war.

 Judy was born in Shanghai in China, in February 1936. As a puppy, she escaped from her kennel and spent time living on the streets before eventually being returned home.

In 1936, the crew of the Royal Navy gunboat HMS Gnat decided they wanted a ship’s mascot and they chose Judy. She quickly became part of the crew’s family. They had hoped to train her as a gundog, but Judy had very little interest in hunting.

HMS Gnat

She proved to be incredibly alert. Judy could hear approaching aircraft long before the crew could. She barked warnings to them that gave them precious extra time. She also warned the crew of river pirates who were attempting surprise attacks and she even helped the crew to avoid danger on the Yangtze River. The sailors loved her.

 In 1939, Judy transferred with some of the crew to HMS Grasshopper. After war broke out, the ship was eventually sent to Singapore. In early 1942 during the Japanese advance through Southeast Asia, everything changed.

 During the Battle of Singapore, Grasshopper came under heavy attack from Japanese aircraft. Judy again detected the planes before the men. Despite the warning, the ship was badly bombed and it began to sink. The crew evacuated to a small deserted island.

HMS Grasshopper

 When they reached the shore  they realised that Judy was missing. One sailor returned to the burning ship to search for supplies and found Judy trapped underneath some fallen lockers. She was rescued just in time. On the island there was no fresh water. Then Judy began to dig near to the shoreline. Beneath the sand she uncovered a freshwater spring. She effectively saved everyone from dehydration.

 The crew later escaped from the island, but their struggle did not end there. They had to trek around 200 miles across the jungle. They had to deal with exhaustion and hunger, not to mention danger. Judy even survived a crocodile attack and continued to warn the men about predators.

 The group were eventually captured by Japanese forces and they all became prisoners of war.

Life in the prison camps was brutal. The men suffered from starvation, disease, beatings, and forced labour. Judy was smuggled into the camp hidden under some sacks. There she met Leading Aircraftman Frank Williams, the man she would bond with for the rest of her life.

 Frank shared his tiny daily ration of rice with her, even though he barely had enough for himself. Their bond was extraordinary. Judy lifted morale in the camps, warning prisoners when guards approached and of snakes and scorpions.

 Frank worried that the guards would kill her, so he convinced the camp commandant to officially register Judy as a prisoner of war. She was given the registration number 81A Gloegoer Medan, making her the only dog to be officially recognised as a POW during the Second World War.

 You would have thought she had been through enough, but sadly not. In June 1944, the Japanese decided to move prisoners from one POW camp to another. Mainly from Sumatra toward Singapore for labour.

 To transport them, they loaded the prisoners onto the Japanese cargo/passenger ship Harugiku Maru – what POWs often called a “hell ship.”

Judy was secretly smuggled on board inside a rice sack. The ship was torpedoed by the British submarine HMS Truculent, which didn’t know Allied POWs were on board.

 Frank threw Judy through a porthole into the sea in a attempt to save her. More than 500 people died, but Judy survived and according to some survivor accounts, she helped struggling prisoners stay afloat by bringing them debris to cling to.

 After the Allies liberated the camp, Judy was smuggled to Britain with Frank. Following six months in quarantine, she was reunited with him properly. In 1946, she was awarded the Dickin Medal, often called the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

Dickin Medal

 Her citation praised her magnificent courage, endurance, intelligence, and the lives she helped save.

 After the war, Judy and Frank travelled around Britain raising money for charities and visiting families of former prisoners of war. Many of them found comfort in her presence. She seemed to carry with her the memory of survival, loyalty, and hope.

 

In 1948, Judy travelled with Frank to East Africa. Sadly, in 1950 she developed a tumour. After complications, she was put to sleep on the 17^th of February 1950, aged nearly 14.

 Judy was buried in . wearing her RAF jacket and with her medals beside her.

Judys grave

 She gave the men loyalty and love, even when she was surrounded by cruelty.

 Do you think animals sometimes understand far more about human emotion and courage than we actually realise?

 

 

 

 

 

The Victorian Maid-of-All-Work: The Young Servant Who Did Almost Everything

The Victorian Maid-of-All-Work: The Young Servant Who Did Almost Everything

Today I want to continue our look into Victorian servants. This time I want to take a look at the maid-of-all-work. She was one of the hardest-working servants in Victorian Britain, but she is very often the least remembered. While grand country houses usually had large teams of servants with specific roles, many smaller middle-class homes could only afford one servant. That servant was usually the maid-of-all-work.

The role became especially common during the 19^th century. During this century Britain’s middle class was growing fast. And with this growth more families wanted the status of employing a servant. They may not have been able to afford a cook, housemaid, nursemaid, and laundry maid separately. Instead, they hired one young woman and expected her to do almost everything. This must have been an unimaginable amount of work.

Most maids-of-all-work came from poor or working-class families. Many were very young, sometimes they were only 13 or 14 years old when they entered service. For some of these girls, becoming a servant offered them regular food, somewhere to sleep, and wages to send home to their families. But it also meant leaving home at a young age, often moving to an unfamiliar town or city. It must have been so frightening and lonely. She usually earned less than servants in large wealthy houses as well.

Her day usually began before anyone else in the house had woken up. She usually woke up at around 5am, or sometimes earlier in winter. One of her first jobs was to light the fires in the house so that the rooms would be warm by the time the family woke up. This was dirty and heavy work.

The rest of the day was a constant cycle. She swept floors, dusted furniture, cleaned grates, polished metal, emptied chamber pots, carried water, washed dishes, helped prepare meals, scrubbed steps, and answered the door. In some households she also helped with the laundry, the sewing, the shopping, and the childcare. There was rarely any time for a break.

Unlike servants in wealthy households who had other servants to share the duties, the maid-of-all-work usually worked alone. That made her role even more demanding. If something needed doing, it was her responsibility. There was no one else to step in.

The demands were intense, many employers expected obedience, silence, and efficiency. Any mistakes could lead to dismissal. Some mistresses were kind, but others were extremely difficult to please. Living where you worked also meant there was very little escape from the pressure.

Many maids-of-all-work learned quickly and adapted to the difficult routines. Even though their work was often overlooked.

By the late Victorian period, domestic service had become one of the largest employers of women in Britain. The maid-of-all-work formed a huge part of that workforce.

 

Do you think that the maid-of-all-work was one of the most underappreciated servants in Victorian Britain?

 

Make Do and Mend: How Wartime Britain Learned to Repair, Reuse, and Carry On

Make Do and Mend: How Wartime Britain Learned to Repair, Reuse, and Carry On

 

 I want to return to learning a little about life on the Home Front during the Second World War. Today I want to look at something that became a huge part of life for ordinary families that was Make Do and Mend.

When Britain entered the war in September 1939, life changed very quickly. At first, some of the shortages were manageable, but as the war continued, food, fuel, and clothing became much harder to get. Ships that were bringing goods into Britain were being attacked by German U-boats. Factories were more focused on making equipment for the war, and materials like wool, cotton, and leather were in short supply.

By 1941, clothing rationing had been introduced in Britain. Everyone was given a limited number of clothing coupons each year. These reduced as the war went on. In 1941 people were allocated 66 coupons. In 1942 they were allowed 48 coupons and in 1943 they were reduced again to 36 coupons. Later on they reduced even further. These coupons had to cover everything from coats and shoes to underwear and socks. Buying new clothes was no longer something people could do whenever they wanted. Every purchase had to be carefully thought about.

This is why Make Do and Mend became so important. The phrase came from a campaign by the government that was launched by the Board of Trade in 1943. The idea was simple. Instead of throwing things away, people were encouraged to repair, reuse, alter, and recycle what they already had.

Old clothes were patched rather than replaced. Worn-out socks were darned. Dresses were altered to fit children as they grew up or reshaped to fit the changing fashions. A man’s old suit could be turned into a jacket for a young boy. Some people used old blankets to make coats or dressing gowns. Nothing useful was wasted.

This really must have needed some real creativity and patience. Many women got incredibly good at sewing, knitting, and mending because they had little other choice. Mothers often spent their evenings in the dim light repairing clothes. All after probably working long and tiring days or volunteering in the war effort.

Children also grew up understanding that clothes had value. Ripping a sleeve was not a reason to throw something away. It was something that needed to be fixed. Hand-me-downs became normal, and younger siblings usually wore clothes that had already been used and mended by other members of the family.

The campaign also influenced attitudes about other things, not just clothes. Furniture was also repaired, household items were reused, and scraps of fabric were saved because you never knew when they would come in handy. Wartime Britain became a place where resourcefulness came into its own. People learned to look at old items and think, What can this become?

Of course, Make Do and Mend was about more than saving material. It also became a mark of resilience. To me it reflects a wartime mindset, one of endurance, determination, and refusing to waste precious resources while the country was fighting for survival.

 

The message still feels very relevant today. In a world where everything seems so easy and quick to replace, maybe we could learn something from wartime  Britain.

 

Do you think we could learn something from the wartime spirit of Make Do and Mend?

The Medieval Falconer: The Skilled Keeper of the Nobles Hunting Birds

The Medieval Falconer: The Skilled Keeper of the Nobles Hunting Birds

I want to continue our look into medieval jobs. Today I want to talk about the medieval falconer. It is a job that many people may think was quite glamorous because it involved beautiful birds of prey, but being a falconer needed real skill and patience.

Falconry had been very popular in Europe for a long time before the medieval period. By the Middle Ages it had become very important to the nobility. Owning beautiful, trained birds like falcons, hawks, or goshawks was a sign of wealth and status. Many lords, ladies, and kings enjoyed the sport. Some birds were so valuable that they were considered luxury items. They could also be given as gifts between nobles.

This popularity created the need for skilled falconers. A falconer was responsible for caring for the birds. They started work early in the morning and often worked into evening. They had to feed and care for these birds carefully. Also ensuring that they were healthy. They had to make sure that the equipment and mews were also clean and looked after. The mews was where the birds were housed. They also had to inspect the feathers, claws, and beaks for any signs of injury or illness.

Training a bird of prey was one of the hardest parts of the job. Falcons and hawks are amazingly powerful wild birds and they have strong instincts. It would not have been easy to train them. The falconer would have had to build up trust. They used controlled feeding and rewards to encourage the bird to return.

During hunts, the falconer travelled with their lord or lady and handled the birds at exactly the right moment. Timing mattered, releasing a bird too early or too late could ruin a hunt. The falconer needed good observation and to stay calm under pressure. They also had to understand the bird’s behaviour, the weather, and the movement of prey. That must have been a huge responsibility, especially when handling birds worth a small fortune.

Although falconry is often connected with nobles, falconers themselves were not always nobles. Many were skilled servants or specialists employed by wealthy households, castles, or royal courts. However, because they worked so closely with valuable animals and important people, they often held trusted positions. A talented falconer could earn considerable respect and be reasonably well paid.

During the reign of Edward III, royal falconers received wages as well as extra money to help care for the king’s birds. Senior falconers often earned better pay than many ordinary servants, and with food and lodging often included, they could live quite comfortably.

Medieval falconers were not just trainers. They built relationships with these beautiful birds, that  were powerful, intelligent, and still partly wild.

Were medieval falconers more skilled than many people realise?

Salaria Kea: The American Nurse Who Fought Racism During the Spanish Civil War and World War Two

Salaria Kea: The American Nurse Who Fought Racism During the Spanish Civil War and World War Two

Today I want to tell you a little bit about Salaria Kea.

Salaria Kea was born on the 13th of July 1913 in Milledgeville, Georgia. Her father was tragically killed while she was still just a baby. She was then raised mainly by her older brothers in Akron, Ohio.

Salaria had wanted to be a nurse since she was a child, but racial segregation made this extremely difficult. Many nursing schools refused to accept Black students. But she refused to give up. She moved to New York City and graduated from Harlem Hospital School of Nursing in 1934. Even during her student years, she challenged segregation and fought for better treatment of African American nurses.

In 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, Salaria volunteered to serve in Spain. She became the only African American nurse working with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. She helped to establish a field hospital near Madrid and then served as a head surgical nurse. For perhaps the first time, she worked in an environment where her skill mattered more than the colour of her skin. That must have been emotional.

Salaria was captured for a time, but later escaped, and she was badly injured in a bombing raid. While she was in Spain, she met Irish volunteer John O’Reilly, who she went on to marry.

During the Second World War, Salaria served again. She became one of the very few African American nurses recruited by the United States Army in 1944. In spite of her service and sacrifice, she was still forced to face racism at home.

After the war, she continued to nurse. She worked to help desegregate hospitals. Salaria sadly died on the 18th of May 1990 at the age of 76.

What is amazing to me is her determination. Salaria Kea did not just heal the wounded. She also challenged injustice. 

Had you heard of Salaria Kea before?

The Victorian Lady’s Maid: The Servant Trusted with the Elegance and Fashion of the Lady of the House

The Victorian Lady’s Maid: The Servant Trusted with the Elegance and Fashion of the Lady of the House

Today I want to continue our look into Victorian servants. I want to take a look at the Victorian lady’s maid. She was one of the most trusted female servants in a wealthy household. Her job was really important, and it required skill, patience, loyalty, and attention to detail.

The role of a lady’s maid became especially popular during the 19th century. Fashion, appearance, and social status had become hugely important to upper-class society. Wealthy Victorian women usually owned large wardrobes full of dresses. There were dresses for every occasion including, morning dresses, visiting dresses, dinner gowns, mourning clothes, riding habits, and the elaborate evening wear. The lady’s maid was responsible for managing all of this.

A lady’s maid usually worked for the mistress of the house. She was unlike the other servants who answered to the housekeeper. This made her position quite special. She was considered a senior servant and often earned a better wage than maids that were lower down the hierarchy. Many lady’s maids were experienced women who had worked their way up through domestic service, maybe beginning as a house maid before being trusted in this role.

Her day often began early. Before her mistress even woke up, she might already be preparing clothes, warming the curling irons, be laying out any accessories, and making sure that everything was spotless. She helped her mistress dress, which could take time. Victorian fashion was not easy. There were corsets that had to be tightly laced, layers of petticoats to be sorted properly, boots to be buttoned up, gloves to ensure they were perfect, and jewellery to carefully select. 

The lady’s maid was also responsible for doing her mistress’s hair. Victorian hairstyles could be complicated. A lady’s maid could spend a long time styling her mistresses hair, especially before important events. She also looked after the expensive fabrics like the silk, lace, satin, and velvet. She would have had to repair any small rips or tears, remove any stains, and ensure that the garments stayed in excellent condition.

It was the laundry maid who washed everyday items like the mistresses underclothes, petticoats, stockings, and simpler dresses. But it was the lady’s maid who was usually trusted with her mistress’s finest clothing. 

By the later Victorian era, some women were able to receive more professional training at dressmaking schools, hairdressing academies, or domestic service institutes, especially in cities like London. There they could learn skills like hairdressing, sewing, corset fitting, fabric care, and proper etiquette. But, formal training was still very rare, and most lady’s maids learned through years of practical work in service.

Because she worked so closely with her mistress, a lady’s maid would often know about private family matters. She might overhear arguments, worries about money or marriage problems. She would have expected to be discrete. Trust was everything. A good lady’s maid knew when to speak and when to stay silent.

Despite the higher status, life was not necessarily easy. She needed to be polite and attentive, even if her mistress was demanding or difficult. Some mistresses treated their maids with kindness and respect, some even formed close bonds over the years. They may have even felt almost like companions. But as ever the social divide was always clear. In other homes, a lady’s maid may have felt invisible. 

As with all servants, her life revolved around someone else’s comfort and appearance.