The Robes of the Medical Royal Colleges and Other Societies: Medical Education ouside the Universities

In his book English University Life in the Middle Ages Alan Cobban remarked on the theoretical nature of medical education in the Middle Ages. Many men who graduated were more interested in teaching the subject than in the practice of medicine. A more practical approach would be gained from Continental centres, Padua and Leiden, but the non-academic bodies in London, the two Royal Colleges and the Society of Apothecaries would play an important part. The author assesses and analyzes how the formation of the profession would influence the development of ceremonial robes outside the two ancient universities. [Excerpts]