Join us for a museum talk with Welbeck’s Head of Collections Alex Bond to discover the strange and surprising world of early enlightenment medicine.
To mark the opening of our newly displayed book of medicinal recipes, Alex will explore the role of alchemy in 17th and 18th century medicine – when science, superstition, and folklore were closely intertwined. You’ll learn how attitudes to medicine changed after the English Civil War, whilst seeing real examples of medicinal cures written during the period.
The book of cures on display was handwritten by Margaret Cavendish Bentinck, 2nd Duchess of Portland and recipes range from superstitious rituals to herbal treatments now known to have real medicinal properties.
Alex will turn the pages of this remarkable 18th century book, giving you a glimpse at previously unseen cures – and reflecting on what it can tell us about science and the Enlightenment.
Alex Bond
Alex Bond is Head of Collections on the Welbeck Estate. She is a professional curator with over 15 years of experience and a specialism in horological history. Alex is a keen researcher and social historian and enjoys sharing her knowledge with others.
