Banbury history talk covers seven centuries of treating mental illness
November’s history talk in Banbury covers seven centuries of changing attitudes towards mental illness and its treatments.
This fascinating lecture, hosted by Banbury Historical Society, takes place on Thursday (November 12) and is delivered by Stuart Bell.
In a talk entitled ‘Bedlam’, Mr Bell writes that this is more properly described as The Priory of St Mary of Bethlehem.
Established in 1247, it is the oldest psychiatric hospital in the world. It is now the Bethlem Royal Hospital and over the centuries it has treated many noteworthy patients and inspired artists, from Hogarth to Stravinsky.
Its famous history has inspired several horror books, films, and television series, most notably Bedlam, a 1946 film with Boris Karloff.
The hospital is part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. It is closely associated with King's College London and, in partnership with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, is a major centre for psychiatric research.
Mr Bell’s talk covers some of the worst excesses of asylums in the era of lunacy reform and reflects the attitudes towards, and treatments for, mental illness over seven and three quarter centuries.
The lecture takes place at 7.30pm in the Education Studio at Banbury Museum.
- Stuart Bell CBE FRCPsych (Hon) was Chief Executive of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust from 2012 - 2020. Before that he was Chief Executive of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust for thirteen years. He read Modern History at the University of Oxford and is Honorary Treasurer of the Northamptonshire Record Society.
The venue has access via Spiceball Park Road and the canal towpath. Non-members are welcome – fee £5.