The Proof That Dark Age People Did Care

A Case Study from the Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Butler's Field, Lechlade

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There is no escaping the thought that experiencing traumatic injury or serious illness in the early medieval age would have been excruciating at best, and fatal at worst. Life was difficult, with hard labour and poor medical care providing the ‘perfect storm’ for illnesses and injuries that would now be treatable to leave an individual extremely vulnerable.

And yet there is a growing body of archaeological evidence to suggest that sixth- and seventh-century healers were able to make a difference to their patients’ quality of life.

Below the paywall, we’re going to look at the detailed excavation report for the Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Butler’s Field, Lechlade (Gloucestershire, England), to draw out examples of healed injuries that show a community full of care, love, and compassion for one another. If you’re not already a member, you can read this post for free with a seven-day trial when you subscribe through the link below, where you will also find an archive full of bonus posts and historical fiction-based-on-fact.

Let’s dive in!