Holy Medicine and Diseases of the Soul: Henry of Lancaster and Le Livre de Seyntz Medicines

Abstract

Henry of Grosmont (c.1310-61) was one of the most outstanding English aristocrats of the mid-fourteenth century.A second cousin of Edward III, and duke of Lancaster from 1351, he served the king as military commander, diplomat, and political adviser.As a member of the social elite, Henry would have enjoyed a high standard of education.In fact, during his lifetime he composed two treatises: the first, a work on the laws of war; the second, a devotional book entitled Le livre de seyntz medicines (The book of holy medicines). 1 Le livre de seyntz medicines (hereafter Livre) is essentially an allegorical and autobiographical account of Henry's sins and penance.Henry, in his forties, was probably reflecting on his own actions as a youth and turning his mind to more religious matters.The impetus for the work came from his friends, possibly including his confessor, who urged him to compose a devotional book.Henry set to work on the Livre during the Lenten weeks of 1354 leading up to Good Friday and Easter, 2 a liturgical period that arouses penitential feelings and hope of salvation.He then seems to have continued to write daily during the following months.As a result, the book consists of a series of moral self-analyses in a confessional style, meditations on the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary, and prayers, all of which reveal his insightful sensibility and devotional

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