Barber Surgeon

Discover the roles and responsibilities of a Barber Surgeon during the Tudor period in this educational and interactive video.

In Tudor times, most people could not read or write, so they relied on signs to guide them. Many shops would therefore have signs outside to represent their business; a glover would have a painting on wood or a cut-out of a glove, a fishmonger a fish, a seamstress some cotton and thread etc.

What does the white on a barber pole represent?

Correct

The white on a barber pole represents bandages.

Wrong

The white on a barber pole represents bandages.

What does the red on a barber pole represent?

Correct

The red on a barber pole represents blood.

Wrong

The red on a barber pole represents blood.

Barber surgeons learnt their skills on the battlefield or on-board a ship.

Physicians were credited by universities, and therefore if you wanted to be treated by them it was very expensive. They were also seen as “above” surgery so wouldn’t perform it often. For these reason Barber Surgeons became very popular.

In Tudor times, what was thought to be the cure for smallpox?

Correct

In Tudor times, the cure for smallpox was thought to be red curtains placed around the bed.

Wrong

In Tudor times, the cure for smallpox was thought to be red curtains placed around the bed.

In Tudor times, what was thought to be the cure for the Plague?

Correct

In Tudor times, the cure for the Plague was thought to be herbs.

Wrong

In Tudor times, the cure for the Plague was thought to be herbs.

40% of deaths in the Tudor Times were due to drowning! It was especially hard to swim, as the clothes they wore became extremely heavy when in contact with water due to the thick material.