Medieval Medicine: Supernatural Causes

History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
8 questions
~16 mins
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Medieval Medicine: Supernatural Causes

Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
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Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A

Supernatural Causes of Illness in Medieval Medicine

During the Middle Ages, many people believed that illnesses were caused by supernatural forces such as evil spirits, demons, or punishment from God. These beliefs influenced how doctors and healers treated diseases. Treatments often involved religious rituals, prayers, and charms to drive out harmful spirits or seek divine intervention.

Source A: Excerpt from a Medieval healer’s manual

'When a patient falls ill without apparent reason, it is often the work of evil spirits. To cure them, one must perform prayers and sprinkle holy water while reciting sacred words. The healer may also use charms or amulets to protect the patient from further harm.'

Source B: A modern explanation of disease

'Today, we understand that illnesses are caused by germs, bacteria, viruses, and other biological factors. Treatments include medicines like antibiotics and vaccines, which target the cause of the disease rather than supernatural forces.'

1.
Explain why people in the Medieval period believed that supernatural forces caused illness. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
2.
Compare the approaches to treating illness in medieval times and today. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
3.
Outline how beliefs in supernatural causes influenced the treatments used during the Middle Ages. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
4.
Analyse the reasons why supernatural explanations persisted for so long in medieval medicine. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
5.
Explain how the beliefs in supernatural causes affected the development of medical knowledge during the medieval period. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
6.
Compare the views of Source A with modern understanding of disease. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
7.
Write a short paragraph discussing whether beliefs in supernatural causes were helpful or harmful to medieval society. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
8.
Outline the role of religion in shaping medieval medical practices related to supernatural beliefs. (4 marks)
[4 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet