The Middle Ages

Trails

Hospitals

What does the word mean? That will start you off on the right foot. No, I don't mean the dictionary definition, I mean the origins of the word. The study of the origins of words, their variant spellings, and how the word changed over time, is called etymology. It's an important supporting skill for the historian's craft.

This is a good representation, from the 15th century.  With a bit of luck, you might be able to find out why those women are dressed in blue and red.

 


Another hospital. This one is 16th century. This picture has lots to say. Notice the women in uniform again, the doctor over to the left, the coats of arms proclaiming the patron. Notice what the women at the lower left are doing.

 


Here the women are wearing a somewhat different costume. I wonder what that might mean. My favorite aspect of this picture is how tightly wrapped are the men in the beds. But what's with the picture on the left?


Some of the medieval hospitals still stand. Here's an example (it's the yellow buildings). One you can find readily is the Hospital of the Innocents. Researching that will help you discover that hospitals were not always about caring for the sick.