Hartnell’s narrative traces shifts in bodily representation toward the late Middle Ages, where increasing attention to naturalism and individualism emerged. The Black Death, which devastated Europe in the 14th century, intensified focus on death and the fragility of the body.

This period saw a growing interest in anatomy and the physical sciences, laying groundwork for Renaissance perspectives. Nevertheless, spiritual concerns remained dominant, with the body continuing to symbolize broader cosmic and moral order.

Conclusion: Why Study Medieval Bodies Today?

Jack Hartnell’s Medieval Bodies invites modern readers to reconsider the medieval body not as a primitive or archaic concept but as a rich and meaningful site of life, death, and belief. By studying how medieval people understood their bodies, we gain insight into their worldview—where flesh was intertwined with faith, and mortality was a constant companion.

Hartnell’s work illuminates the enduring human quest to understand our physical existence within a greater spiritual and cultural framework. Medieval Bodies is essential reading for historians, art lovers, and anyone interested in the profound relationship between the human body and the sacred in history. shutdown123