1616.001

FIRST AID BOX with HINGED LID, PAINTED WHITE containing MIXED SELECTION of BANDAGES, IODINE AMPOULES, MEDICINE TUMBLER, TOURNIQUET, NASAL DOUCHE ETC., as following entries 2 to 23

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This first aid kit contains a set of ‘Mother Shipton’ Safety Pins which could be used for pinning bandages and dressings (see Part 11).

According to legend, Mother Shipton was born in 1488 in a cave by the River Nidd in Knaresborough. Named Ursula Sontheil, she grew to be a well known local figure, famed for her prophecies. She is said to have predicted the fates of several rulers during and shortly after her life, as well as major events such as the Great Fire of London. The cave believed to be her birthplace remains a popular tourist destination.

Accounts describe the mistreatment she faced throughout her life as a direct result of her physical differences. She was thought to have severe kyphosis (historically referred to as ‘hunch back’) and facial differences such as warts, a crooked nose and a pronounced chin. This made her a target in a superstitious Tudor society, where even subtle differences in appearance were thought to be linked to witchcraft and evil.

Advertisers have occasionally used images of witches to attract consumers by linking magic with the transformative power of their products. Medical products featuring witches in their advertising could also symbolize the healing qualities often attributed to soothsayers like Mother Shipton.

In this instance on a pack of safety pins, Mother Shipton is portrayed from the side, a classic depiction of a witch. This iconic silhouette became so recognizable that a species of moth was named the ‘Mother Shipton’ moth, due to its wing markings resembling her profile.

Though there is no solid evidence proving Mother Shipton’s existence, her story reflects the mistreatment faced by many differently abled individuals throughout history. Between the 15th and 18th centuries, thousands of people were accused of witchcraft in England and Scotland, of whom hundreds were convicted and executed.

Mother Shipton's legend intertwines folklore with disability discrimination, which remains relevant in society today.

Roisin Watson, Hidden Histories Project Researcher