Sandi Toksvig's Hidden Wonders

Sandi Toksvig’s Hidden Wonders – Episode 2 – Chanel 4

Sandi and Raksha unearth exciting new evidence of early medieval monastic life at the site of Cookham Abbey - which was once ruled by Queen Cynethryth - and Sandi recreates a curative potion. They uncover what they believe may have been an early hospice housing the sick, where they must have administered with prayer and potions. But what would those potions look like?

In this episode, Sandi is joined by Dr Christina Lee, Associate Professor in Viking Studies at the University of Nottingham’s School of English, who has specialist knowledge of medieval medicines. Christina, whose research is looking at healing in Early Medieval England, joins Sandi Toksvig to talk about potential medicines which were around in the period. The ‘eyesalve’ which Christina researched with a team of scientist has proved to be efficacious and it shows that people in the so-called ‘Dark Ages’ may have had effective healing. Together they recreate a remedy from a 10th century book Bald’s Leechbook. 

“For this 10th century recipe, I’ve got some vinegar, wine, onion, garlic, leek and an ox bladder. From which we need the ox bile. We are told we need equal parts,” says Dr Lee. “A lot of these ingredients come from the kitchen. The overlap between cooking and healing isn’t so far-fetched."