HERBAL HEALERS AND DEVIL DEALERS:
A STUDY OF HEALERS AND THEIR GENDERED PERSECUTION
IN THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
Meghan McPhee
B.A, California State University, Sacramento, 2006
THESIS
Submitted in partial satisfaction of
the requirements for the degree of
MASTER OF ARTS
in
HISTORY
at
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO
FALL
2009
HERBAL HEALERS AND DEVIL DEALERS:
A STUDY OF HEALERS AND THEIR GENDERED PERSECUTION
IN THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
A Thesis
by
Meghan McPhee
Approved by:
__________________________________, Committee Chair
Candace Gregory-Abbott
__________________________________, Second Reader
Jeffrey Brodd
____________________________
Date
ii
Student: Meghan McPhee
I certify that this student has met the requirements for format contained in the University
format manual, and that this thesis is suitable for shelving in the Library and credit is to
be awarded for the thesis.
__________________________, Graduate Coordinator
Mona Siegel
Department of History
iii
___________________
Date
Abstract
of
HERBAL HEALERS AND DEVIL DEALERS:
A STUDY OF HEALERS AND THEIR GENDERED PERSECUTION
IN THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
by
Meghan McPhee
Long before written record, men and women have known the healing properties
of herbs and medicinal arts have been practiced even before the first civilizations
emerged. This ancient tradition of treating infirmity with herbal medicants was especially
significant during the late middle ages, when women healers became a target and were
cast as enemies of society. This thesis examines the evolution of the female healing
tradition, focusing on the role of women as healers and their devaluation to witches
during the renaissance and early modern periods (1500-1700). This study will also
address why women and especially those identified as healers were singled out in the
witch crazes that sporadically raged throughout western Europe for over two centuries.
_______________________, Committee Chair
Candace Gregory-Abbott
_______________________
Date
iv
DEDICATION
For My Aunt Deborah,
who taught me the importance of
Healing.
v
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It is true that it takes a village to raise a child and thusly it takes a whole university to
make a historian. I am thankful to many professors from both the History and the
Humanities departments, specifically –
Dr. Gregory-Abbott (Dr.G)
Dr. Lagos
Dr. Seery-Murphy
Dr. Holland (for his painful but instructive historical equivalent to boot camp)
Dr. Brodd
Dr. Shinbrot
In the Library, George Paganelis
In the English department, Prof. Enroth
And last but certainly not least, Dr. Riley in the Language department.
(Ego Amo Latinam)
With their combined forces, these amazing people endowed me with the skills necessary
for my success. All my gratitude. I would also like to acknowledge my wonderful family
members and friends for their love and support through all of my endeavors.
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Dedication………………………………………………………………………………v
Acknowledgements……….……………………………………………………………vi
Chapter
1. A HISTORY OF HEALING……………………………………………………..…..1
2. CHAUCER AND MEDIEVAL SOCIAL CONTEXT………………………………22
3. THE ROOTS OF MEDIEVAL MISOGYNY….……………………………………37
4. HERBAL HEALERS TO DEVIL DEALERS........…………………………………47
5. CONCLUSION.………………………………………………………………….......66
Bibliography……..…………………………………………………………………..... 69
vii
8