Medieval Barber of Europe | Student Handouts
 
Welcome to Student Handouts--www.studenthandouts.com! 100% free teaching materials for students in kindergarten through high school--lesson plans, worksheets, PowerPoints, outlines, interactive games, puzzles, and so much more!
 
Barber of the Middle Ages
www.studenthandouts.com > World History > European Middle Ages > Medieval Maps and Pictures
 
 
Barber of the Middle Ages Guild craftsman. From wood engravings made in the sixteenth century. Medieval barber. Click here to enlarge.

In medieval society, the barber held a unique and multifaceted role that extended far beyond hair cutting. Known as "barber-surgeons,"" these individuals were responsible not only for grooming but also for performing a variety of minor medical procedures. Most commonly, barbers cut hair and shaved beards, but they were also called upon to pull teeth, lance boils, and perform bloodletting—a widely believed remedy for balancing bodily humors.

Barbers were often more accessible than university-trained physicians and thus served an important role for common people. Their shops were social centers where people gathered for conversation, news, and basic care. The iconic red-and-white barber pole originated from this era, symbolizing the blood and bandages associated with their medical duties.

Training for barbers varied. Some learned the trade through apprenticeship, while others inherited the profession from family. Though they were not held in the same regard as scholars or clergy, barbers provided essential services, blending practical skills with the rudiments of healing.

By the end of the Middle Ages, barber-surgeons formed their own guilds and were sometimes even employed by noble households or monasteries. The medieval barber, then, was more than a tradesman—he was a vital, if humble, caretaker of everyday health and hygiene.
 
 
Medieval Jousting Tournament Letter from Christopher Columbus on Discovery, 1493 Alaric the Bold Biography Workbook Printable Game Cards on the Fall of the USSR Back to 1942 (2012)
 
 
Middle Ages Books and FilmsMiddle Ages Outlines and PowerPoints
  
Middle Ages Maps and PicturesMiddle Ages Study Games
  
Middle Ages MiscellanyMiddle Ages Printable Worksheets
 
 
www.studenthandouts.com > World History > European Middle Ages > Medieval Maps and Pictures