We know more about the Duke of…

We know more about the Duke of Lancaster's character than of most of his contemporaries through his memoirs, the Livre de seyntz medicines (Book of the Holy Doctors).

This book is a highly personal treatise on matters of religion and piety, but it also contains details of historical interest.

It, among other things, reveals that Lancaster, at the age of forty-four when he writes the book in 1354, suffers from gout.

The book is primarily a devotional work though; it is organized around seven wounds which Henry claims to have, representing the seven sins.

Lancaster confesses to his sins, explains various real and mythical medical remedies in terms of their theological symbolism, and exhorts the reader to greater morality.