Short course
Medicine and Magic in the Medieval World: Charms, Amulets, and the Zodiac Man
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates:
29/09/2026 - 27/10/2026
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£190.00
Medicine and magic were deeply interconnected ideas in the medieval world. Despite apparently clear messaging from the medieval church that “magic” was a supernatural construct which rested on demonic forces and must therefore be shunned from society, in practice this was not so simple. “Magic” remained a loosely defined set of practices and the various theologians and church authorities who condemned it consistently failed to provide clarity on what did, and did not, constitute magic. Medicine, meanwhile, was divided into the formal medicine of the universities, which worked on the foundation of the four humours and thus provided little actual benefit, and the popular medicine of the wider community which relied on herbalism, superstition, and traditional practice. In addition, both medicine and magic had interactions with formal religion. Illnesses and their cures could both be ascribed to divine intervention, while many forms of popular religious practice designed to aid medical issues often tipped into the realm of magic in the eyes of the authorities.
As a result, medicine and magic are interwoven disciplines throughout the medieval period. In this course we will explore how these two areas of medieval life interacted with one another and became, at times, inseparable. We will consider popular charms which found their way into formal medical texts written by highly trained physicians; the controversial practice of astrology and its role in formal medicine; the natural remedies used by the wider population but condemned as demonic magic by some parts of the church; and the various amulets, wards, and protective items worn by individuals across medieval society. We will also explore the attitudes surrounding this in the medieval period, and look at the competing ideologies, theories, and priorities which led to a range of different beliefs and approaches across medieval society.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Level and demands
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.
Course aims
Course aim:
In this course we will explore the world of health and medicine in the medieval period. We will see how formal medical practice sat alongside a wider network of popular medicine, and how both of these strands were interwoven with ideas of magic, superstition, and popular belief.
Course objectives:
- To gain an overview of medieval medical practice, medical forms of magic, and popular practices related to health and protection, and to understand the overlap between these distinct areas
- To demonstrate the range of magical and medical practice across medieval society, from formal undertakings to more common, popular practices and beliefs
- To offer an opportunity to engage with primary sources relating to these practices and beliefs, in the form of objects, images, and documents
- To introduce modern scholarship on the subjects covered and encourage independent study
Programme details
Course starts Tuesday 29 September 2026
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Tuesdays, 2.00-4.00pm.
Week 1: Charms in Medicine
- Metrical charms
- Loricae
- Healing prayers and faith healing
- Charms in formal medicine
Week 2: Amulets and Apotropaic Items
- Amulets, jewellery, and gems
- Magical inscriptions
- Lucky charms and apotropaic carvings
Week 3: Natural Remedies
- Herbals and herbalism
- Bestiaries and animal remedies
- Lapidaries and other uses of stones
Week 4: Popular Magic and Medicine
- Popular remedies
- Sympathetic magic to harm and heal
- Curses and other magical illnesses
- Pilgrimage, saints’ shrines, and votive offerings
Week 5: Astrological Medicine
- Natural philosophy and the Zodiac man
- Astrological medicine and medical horoscopes
- Popular astrology and portents
- Astral magic and medicine
Teaching methods
- Weekly lectures
- Guided reading of documents and texts
- Examination of primary sources
- Discussion sessions
- Set questions
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, you will have:
- An understanding of formal medieval medical practice, popular medicine, and medical magic
- An understanding of natural philosophy, popular belief, and the loose definition of “magic” which resulted in significant crossover between these areas in the medieval period
- An ability to analyse and evaluate primary sources, including penitential texts, medical manuals, archaeological finds, treatises, and other related texts
- An ability to utilise primary source material to support arguments relating to medieval medicine and magic
- An understanding of medieval perceptions of magic across different societal groups and how this impacted not only the practice of magic but other disciplines such as medicine
Assessment methods
This course is not accredited, so there are no assessments or coursework.
Dr Vikki Burns-Price
Victoria Burns-Price has a PhD from the University of Reading in Medieval History. Her research interests lie in medieval magic, its practitioners, and the influence of formal theology on societal attitudes toward it.
Certification
Digital badge
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.
After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add this badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee | £190.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Library facilities
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Library, part of the Bodleian Libraries, for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are also welcome to use the Library for reference.
- More information about the Library can be found on the Bodleian Libraries website.
- This guide for Weekly Class students also provides further information.
Preparatory reading
- Early Medieval Medicine in Context: Transmission, Translation and Transformation / Banham, Debby; Burridge, Claire; Olsan, Lea T.
Module code: O26P486LHW
How to enrol
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.
