Medieval Blood

An important chapter in the history of the human body, this study investigates the significance of medieval writers' view of the body as merely a container of blood. Written from an interdisciplinary perspective, the discussion includes why the blood of Christ and the saints were venerated, how knights' blood was spilled to establish their superior valor, and how the discipline of medicine understood health and personality to be based on blood. Also discussed is the role of medieval law in regulating bloodshed and the mixing of blood, while also upholding the social links between families based on blood.