Why read Forensic Medicine and Death Investigation in Medieval England?

Book cover of Forensic Medicine and Death Investigation in Medieval England

Book description

England has traditionally been understood as a latecomer to the use of forensic medicine in death investigation, lagging nearly two-hundred years behind other European authorities. Using the coroner's inquest as a lens, this book hopes to offer a fresh perspective on the process of death investigation in medieval England. The…

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European history

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Why read it?

1 author picked Forensic Medicine and Death Investigation in Medieval England as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Katherine D. Watson

Author

This book overturns a long-held notion that the English were slow to adopt forensic practices in death investigations, by showing just what medieval people did when a body turned up dead in mysterious circumstances. The records created by coroners’ inquests reveal the rather impressive thoroughness of this key element of late medieval law enforcement, including the regular presence of medical professionals on inquest juries.

From Katherine's list on the history of forensic medicine.