Edward VI Grants Charter

Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library

Edward VI Grants Charter

King Edward VI granting a charter to the barber-surgeons of London

Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries

Media ID 590349

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10160012

1550 Barber Charter Granting Surgeons

EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures a pivotal moment in the history of medical care in Tudor England as King Edward VI (1537-1553) grants a charter to the Barber-Surgeons of London in the late 1550s. Edward, the eldest son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, ascended to the throne at the tender age of nine following his father's death. During his brief reign, the young monarch demonstrated a keen interest in governance and education, issuing numerous charters and proclamations that shaped the political and social landscape of the realm. In this scene, Edward VI is depicted in regal attire, seated at a grand table, surrounded by his Privy Councillors. He holds a quill pen in his right hand, poised to sign the charter, while a scribe records the proceedings. The Barber-Surgeons, dressed in their distinctive tabards and aprons, stand before him, their tools of trade at the ready. The charter granted them the right to practice surgery, an important recognition of their skills and expertise in a time when medical care was rudimentary and often dangerous. The Barber-Surgeons' Guild, which had been established in London during the late medieval period, had long advocated for this recognition. With the granting of this charter, they were formally acknowledged as a distinct profession, separate from the barbers who continued to focus on hairdressing and shaving. This momentous event marked a significant step forward in the development of surgical practice and the professionalization of medical care in England. This print, from the Mary Evans Picture Library, offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Tudor history and the evolution of medical care during this fascinating period.

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