Hello Sylvia, I knew all about Claude but I didn't know about Anne of Brittany. Knew her history, not her physical disability. I did my PhD thesis on The Extra and Social Costs of Disability. My supervisor wanted much wider history as an introduction after I submitted the first completed draft and that means a huge rewrite. In 1990s there simply wasn't that much histography on this and most papers or work were at least 20 years out of date. So it was very difficult. I found some very obscure papers and the thing that surprised me most was the attitude towards disabled people. It varies very much. I had always been told the Church preaching disability and sickness is a punishment from God. This wasn't strictly true. It referred to big pandemics etc but the Church taught a variety of positive things about disabled people such as them being free from sin and being there as an example to others. They are here to encourage compassion etc
X
Social ideas were different. Social care was community and monastic based but the religious services provided care of the whole person etc but social ideas varied from fear and sin to being blessed to have disabled people around them. The strangest one was Switzerland where in some places the entire place had members of their household with large heads and deformed people called cretins. It was caused by the iron rtc in the water and environment. There people saw these people as lucky and a blessing. They want to have them as a family member. It really stood out. The Church was also saying people had to be cared for. Jobs were found for them in the monastery or the army. It was also taught that personally people sinned. It was a very weird duality. Personally people felt that it was their fault and sought forgiveness and health. It was a real mix of positive and emotional and negative reactions. There were also a remarkable range of personalised aids for disabilities etc, like the rich having clothing made to cover their inability. It's again really fascinating. People had crutches, walking sticks and even wheelchairs. Since my work a lot more has been done. Disability in Tudor English was written a few years ago and the application of carers for people who can't deal with their financial situation. There are social institutions over time, schools to teach blind people braille and other ones to help the deaf. Wheelchair development is very interesting and the fight for recognition and equality. I found the extra fuel costs are much higher
Social services and carers. The fight for proper benefits and inclusion in everything. The battles in modern times are more difficult than the attitude in the Middle Ages. It's an under studied area. There's much more available now but back in 1990s it was pioneering work.
Sylvia, I love this post! As a blind woman and disability advocate, I am especially interested in how disabled people were treated throughout history. Given the heightened visibility of a queen’s body and health, it is interesting to see how these women were viewed and how they lived their lives.
Indeed! It seems that the Valois princesses suffered from scoliosis and various birth defects. Rene of France, Claude's sister, is another example, as is Francis I's daughter Marguerite.
Thank you for this post. It's important to shine a light on the fact that there have always been disabled people in every class and role of society, and to give voice to some of their stories.
Hello Sylvia, I knew all about Claude but I didn't know about Anne of Brittany. Knew her history, not her physical disability. I did my PhD thesis on The Extra and Social Costs of Disability. My supervisor wanted much wider history as an introduction after I submitted the first completed draft and that means a huge rewrite. In 1990s there simply wasn't that much histography on this and most papers or work were at least 20 years out of date. So it was very difficult. I found some very obscure papers and the thing that surprised me most was the attitude towards disabled people. It varies very much. I had always been told the Church preaching disability and sickness is a punishment from God. This wasn't strictly true. It referred to big pandemics etc but the Church taught a variety of positive things about disabled people such as them being free from sin and being there as an example to others. They are here to encourage compassion etc
X
Social ideas were different. Social care was community and monastic based but the religious services provided care of the whole person etc but social ideas varied from fear and sin to being blessed to have disabled people around them. The strangest one was Switzerland where in some places the entire place had members of their household with large heads and deformed people called cretins. It was caused by the iron rtc in the water and environment. There people saw these people as lucky and a blessing. They want to have them as a family member. It really stood out. The Church was also saying people had to be cared for. Jobs were found for them in the monastery or the army. It was also taught that personally people sinned. It was a very weird duality. Personally people felt that it was their fault and sought forgiveness and health. It was a real mix of positive and emotional and negative reactions. There were also a remarkable range of personalised aids for disabilities etc, like the rich having clothing made to cover their inability. It's again really fascinating. People had crutches, walking sticks and even wheelchairs. Since my work a lot more has been done. Disability in Tudor English was written a few years ago and the application of carers for people who can't deal with their financial situation. There are social institutions over time, schools to teach blind people braille and other ones to help the deaf. Wheelchair development is very interesting and the fight for recognition and equality. I found the extra fuel costs are much higher
Social services and carers. The fight for proper benefits and inclusion in everything. The battles in modern times are more difficult than the attitude in the Middle Ages. It's an under studied area. There's much more available now but back in 1990s it was pioneering work.
Hello LynMarie,
thank you so much for sharing your perspective! That's a very interesting subject - I'm so glad to hear that you've been working on it in the past.
I'm very interested in this, and will certainly write more on this subject.
xx
Your thesis sounds really interesting and agree that the modern battles are often as complex and difficult as those in the past!
Sylvia, I love this post! As a blind woman and disability advocate, I am especially interested in how disabled people were treated throughout history. Given the heightened visibility of a queen’s body and health, it is interesting to see how these women were viewed and how they lived their lives.
Thank you, Emily, I appreciate your comment! I've been interested in this subject for a very long time, and will have more posts coming out soon. xx
Thank you! I've picked up the Kindle version.
Thank you, Cathy! xx
Alas, like the Habsburgs, there was too much inbreeding in the Valois dynasty. Consumption was another Valois scourge.
Indeed! It seems that the Valois princesses suffered from scoliosis and various birth defects. Rene of France, Claude's sister, is another example, as is Francis I's daughter Marguerite.
Thank you for this post. It's important to shine a light on the fact that there have always been disabled people in every class and role of society, and to give voice to some of their stories.