Six Centuries of Madness – the History of Bedlam Asylum
Step into the haunting history of Bedlam Asylum, a name synonymous with madness and human suffering. Founded in the 13th century, this notorious institution became a chilling symbol of how society treated the mentally ill. Journey through the eerie corridors where the cries of the tormented once echoed, and explore the harrowing tales of its residents, many of whom were subjected to barbaric treatments and inhumane conditions. From its early days as a charitable institution to its transformation into a spectacle for public viewing, Bedlam’s legacy is steeped in tragedy and intrigue. Discover the dark secrets behind its walls, the infamous patients who resided there, and the evolution of mental health care that emerged from its shadows. This lecture promises to immerse you in the unsettling yet fascinating narrative of Bedlam, revealing how this once-feared asylum continues to captivate our imagination and challenge our understanding of mental health today. Dare to uncover the eerie truths behind one of history’s most infamous institutions.
Bio:
Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience, Lena’s New Book – Mythical Creatures in Scandinavian Folklore is now available on Amazon
don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day
