About this episode

This episode explores folk medicine from the 10th and 17th centuries with guest Danielle Giles.

We explore folk medicine of two different historical periods, the tenth and the seventeenth century, in this episode of The Folklore Podcast. I am joined by special guest, author Danielle Giles, whose first two novels have this focus and provide our lens. 'Mere', set in the Norfolk marshes in the 10th century, explores the work of a convent infirmarian, and Danielle's new novel 'Gentle Things' is located around an apothecary's shop. We look at older pagan beliefs and practices and their adoption into the Christian church, some of the plants and healing techniques used, and pay more than passing service to the subject of medical cannibalism. This one is perhaps not teatime viewing! You can find Danielle on the web at https://www.daniellegileswriter.com/ Find the 100 Ballads Project, which is referred to in this episode, online at https://www.100ballads.org/ To support the Folklore Podcast in its goal of providing excellent free folklore content each month, please visit http://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

People in this episode

Host: Mark Norman

Guest: Danielle Giles

Topics covered

• folk medicine
• historical periods
• pagan beliefs
• Christian church
• medical cannibalism

Keywords

• folk medicine
• 10th century
• 17th century
• pagan beliefs
• Christian church
• medical cannibalism
• apothecary

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: 100 Ballads Project, The Folklore Podcast

Books & works: Mere, Gentle Things

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