A brief history of disability in the UK, part 1

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Take a journey with us through the history of medieval England, where language such as the 'lepre', the 'blynde', the 'dumbe', the 'deaff', the 'natural fool', the 'creple', wove into the fabric of everyday life.

Whether born with a disability or acquiring one through things like leprosy, these individuals were a highly visible presence in communities, shaped by years of backbreaking toil and the capricious hand of fate.

In medieval England, attitudes toward disability were as diverse as the people themselves. Some saw it as divine retribution for sin or the cosmic influence, while others believed that those who were disabled were closer to God, enduring earthly purgatory before their heavenly ascent.

However, in this era, there was no state provision for disabled people. Instead, they lived within their communities, reliant on the support of family and friends. The fortunate received aid from their towns or villages, while others resorted to the humble act of begging. Monks and nuns, driven by Christian duty, played a crucial role in caring for the sick and disabled, adhering to the teachings of the Church.

As time unfolded, a network of hospitals, often situated in or near religious institutions, emerged. These establishments, some specialising in leprosy, blindness, or physical disability, marked the beginning of a more structured response to the needs of the disabled. England's first mental institution, later known as 'Bedlam,' found its roots in the Bethlehem hospital in the City of London. Simultaneously, alms-houses were established to provide a supportive haven for the disabled and elderly.

Disabled people were not passive recipients but proactive agents in their stories. Pilgrimages on foot to holy sites, such as the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury, were a common pursuit in search of cures or relief. Instances of resistance also punctuate history; in 1297, residents of a leper house in West Somerton rebelled against an unjust abbot, leaving a trail of looting, demolishing, and even battling a guard dog.

While only a few buildings from this era endure, the legacy of medieval pioneers echoes in the halls of modern public services. The professional approach to disability care and support initiated by these early communities laid the groundwork for a system that would evolve over the next 500 years. Join us as we unveil the profound impact of medieval England on our contemporary understanding of disability and care.

The Destruction of Religious Hospitals: Tudor England Unveiled

During the Tudor period in England, marked by the reigns of monarchs such as Henry VIII, witnessed a significant upheaval in the care and support systems for disabled people. At the heart of this transformation was the tumultuous event known as the 'Dissolution of the Monasteries,' a decree that echoed across the nation, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of many. And saw the treatment and support for disabled people change significantly

In a bold move, Henry VIII severed ties with the Roman Church, initiating the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The consequences were profound as religious houses crumbled, and monks and nuns were expelled. The collateral damage extended to the hospitals nestled within these sacred structures, eradicating established systems of care for the sick and disabled. The aftermath was stark - poverty and destitution became unwelcome companions for those who had once relied on the benevolence of these institutions.

A petition to King Henry in 1538 pleaded for the resurrection of the shuttered hospitals. The document poignantly described 'miserable people lying in the street, offending every clean person passing by the way.' However, the plea fell on somewhat deaf ears, and the subsequent three decades witnessed minimal efforts in rebuilding what had been lost.

As the echoes of destruction reverberated, a gradual transformation unfolded. Caring for the disabled transitioned from being solely a religious obligation to a civic duty. Wealthy patrons continued to fund structures for the disabled, not for spiritual merit, but to bolster their own reputations.

In the heart of London, new hospitals emerged, some breathing life into old foundations. These were not cloistered institutions but increasingly public buildings, sustained by parish collections, taxes, and charitable donations. By the end of the 16th century, the landscape saw the emergence of new alms-houses and hospitals, signifying a shift towards more public and secular support structures.

The Tudor era introduced a series of Poor Law Acts that dealt harshly with the 'sturdy vagabonds,' perceived as idle by choice. Whippings and brandings were the punitive measures meted out. However, a distinct approach was taken towards the 'impotent poor' - those naturally disabled. The overseers of necessary relief were tasked with providing allowances based on the maladies and needs of these individuals.

Amidst the complexities of Tudor courts, a unique cohort emerged. Individuals we might recognize today as having learning disabilities enjoyed privileged lives, attended by a designated 'keeper.' These 'natural fools' played a crucial role as fountains of wisdom and humor, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the political machinations of the court.

While most religious institutions succumbed to the dissolution, the small Bethlem Hospital stood resilient as the sole refuge for the mentally ill. In 1547, its administration shifted to the Corporation of London, appointing its first medically qualified superintendent. Despite facing financial abuse and neglect, the changing attitudes of the time acknowledged mental illness as a subject for medical intervention.

Life for disabled individuals during the Tudor era, though challenging, was not one of isolation. Most mentally ill individuals remained integrated into their communities, receiving a blend of religious, psychological, astrological, and traditional remedies. Others, despite their disabilities, married, had families, and actively participated in the workforce. A poignant example from 1570 tells the story of a resilient 70-year-old blind baker in Norwich, still hard at work with the support of his wife.

In unveiling the intricate tapestry of Tudor England's approach to disability and care, we glimpse a society navigating the complexities of religious, civic, and personal responsibilities. The destruction of religious hospitals, though a dark chapter, sparked the evolution of support structures that would lay the foundation for the care systems we know today. The Tudors, with their shifting dynamics and changing attitudes, have left an indelible mark on the narrative of disability and resilience.

Bibliography and assosiated articles:

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2. Bynum, C. W. (1987). Holy Feast and Holy Fast: The Religious Significance of Food to Medieval Women. University of California Press.

3. Clements, R. J. (1992). "The Rise and Decline of the Medieval English Hospital." In The Care of the Sick: The Emergence of Modern Nursing (pp. 11-28). Routledge.

4. Clark, S. (2003). Vanities of the Eye: Vision in Early Modern European Culture. Oxford University Press.

5. Herlihy, D. (1997). The Black Death and the Transformation of the West. Harvard University Press.

6. Jalland, P. (1996). Death in the Victorian Family. Oxford University Press.

7. Kaufman, J. M., & Johnson, K. R. (2004). "Disability and the Justification of Inequality in American History." In Social Inequality (pp. 87-112). Routledge.

8. Stone, L. (1979). The Family, Sex and Marriage in England 1500-1800. HarperCollins.

9. Stone, L. (1984). The Crisis of the Aristocracy, 1558-1641. Oxford University Press.

10. Thomas, K. (1971). Religion and the Decline of Magic. Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

11. Thomson, R. M. (2002). "Disability, Sexuality, and the Body in Early Modern Europe." In Journal of the History of Sexuality, 11(1-2), 32-52.

12. Ziegler, P. (2006). The Black Death: Natural and Human Disaster in Medieval Europe. A&C Black.