Researcher Maps Medieval Aids for the Disabled
Why this is here: The project aims to identify between 250 and 350 representations of aids, potentially helping Museum Catharijneconvent expand its representation of disabilities in its permanent collection.
Krista Milne received a Vidi grant to research aids for people with disabilities in the Middle Ages. The university lecturer examined medieval manuscripts.
She discovered over thirty depictions of assistance dogs of various sizes. Milne previously proved assistance dogs were not a modern invention with an NWO XS grant.
The researcher found the number of depicted assistance dogs increased in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Manuscript illustrations also increased during this period.
Milne noted a variety of dog breeds served as guides. She also observed a lack of scholarly literature regarding other medieval aids for the disabled.
Milne will now search databases in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom. A postdoc will focus on regional differences. A PhD candidate will examine gender-specific differences in aid usage.