William Bullein facts for kids
William Bullein was an English doctor and church leader who lived a long time ago, from about 1515 to 1576. He wrote many books about health and medicine.
Early Life and Studies
William Bullein started his career as a church leader. On June 9, 1550, he became the rector (a type of priest) of Blaxhall in Suffolk, England. Some of his family members lived there. He left this job before November 5, 1554.
After leaving his church role, Bullein traveled to other countries to study medicine. It is thought that he earned his medical degree (M.D.) while he was abroad. However, his name is not on the list of doctors at the Royal College of Physicians in England.
Later Life and Family
William Bullein passed away on January 7, 1576. He was buried two days later, on January 9, at a church called St. Giles's, Cripplegate. His brother Richard, who was also a church leader and wrote about medicine, was buried in the same grave. So was John Foxe, another famous writer. Their tomb had a special stone with a Latin message celebrating all three men.
Bullein had strong religious beliefs, similar to the Puritan movement of his time. He was sometimes compared to another writer named Thomas Brasbridge.
Bullein married Agnes or Anne, who was the widow of Sir Thomas Hilton. They were in London together in 1561. Later, William Hilton, Sir Thomas's brother, blamed Bullein for Sir Thomas's death. This led to some legal problems. While writing one of his books, Bullein was in prison because of debt. After his first wife passed away by 1566, Bullein married Anne Doffield as his second wife that same year.
Important Books and Writings
William Bullein wrote several important books about health and medicine. He also wrote about other interesting topics, often sharing his ideas in a fun and engaging way.
The Government of Health
In 1558 or 1559, Bullein published a book called A newe booke entituled the Gouernement of Healthe (which means "The Government of Health"). He dedicated this book to Sir Thomas Hilton. A second edition of this book came out in 1595.
Bullein's Bulwark
Another major work by Bullein was Bullein's Bulwarke, published in 1562 or 1563. He wrote this book while he was in prison. It was dedicated to Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon. This book has four main parts:
- Book of Simples: This part is one of the earliest English books about herbal remedies. It describes different plants and how they can be used as medicine.
- Dialogue between Soreness and Surgeon: In this section, Bullein strongly spoke out against fake doctors and people who pretended to be healers. He also listed famous English surgeons and what they had achieved. He shared stories, like how he helped Sir Richard Alie, a knight known for building strong defenses. He also wrote about some witches he knew in Suffolk.
- Book of Compounds: This part likely discussed medicines made from mixing different ingredients.
- Book for Sick Men and Medicines: This section probably gave advice on how to use medicines when you are sick.
This book was influenced by another famous health book called Castell of Health by Thomas Elyot. Bullein's ideas were mostly based on the ancient Greek doctor Galen. However, he also mentioned some newer ideas from a thinker named Paracelsus.
A Pleasant and Pitiful Dialogue
In 1564 or 1565, Bullein published A Dialogue bothe pleasaunte and pietifull (meaning "A Dialogue both Pleasant and Pitiful"). This book was both clever and funny, using stories and jokes to make its points. Bullein wrote it to help people deal with the sweating-sickness, a serious illness that came to England from Le Havre in 1564. He wanted to give his fellow citizens hope and advice during this difficult time.
The Dialogue has several different scenes. One scene is between a rich money-lender named Antonius and a doctor. In the first version of the book, the doctor was called Antonius Capistrinus. But in later versions, the doctor's name was Dr. Tocrub, which was probably a playful jab at a real doctor named Burchard Kranich (also known as Dr. Burcot).
Other Writings
Bullein also wrote other books and papers:
- A comfortable Regiment and a very wholsome order against the moste perilous Pleurisie... (1562): This book gave advice on how to deal with pleurisy, a dangerous lung illness. It was dedicated to Sir Robert Wingfield.
- A briefe and short discourse of the Vertue and Operation of Balsame... (1585): This book talked about the healing power of balsam. It also included "Doctor Bullin's Diet for Health," which was his advice on healthy eating.
Some of Bullein's poems were included in a book by John Sadler in 1572. An almanac (a yearly calendar with predictions) by Master Bullein was approved for printing in 1563 or 1564. Also, some "Serten prayers of Master Bullion" were approved for printing in 1569 or 1570.
