Silent Histories

Deafness in Early Modern England

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Early modern England was a primarily oral culture, in which deafness and hearing loss could be particularly devastating. Yet, deaf people were a considerable minority in the early modern British Isles, and deafness did not discriminate by sex, wealth or status. By placing deaf people at the centre of the story, Silent Histories transforms our understanding of early modern England. Using newly discovered archival sources, including diaries, court records, wills and personal correspondence, Rosamund Oates uncovers a world in which deaf people used sign language in court cases, in worship and in daily life. Rather than treating deafness as a medical or linguistic problem, this book offers a holistic account of deafness or disability in this period. Oates uncovers the untold stories of deaf people, often in their own words, showing how they worshipped, worked and forged relationships within their communities. Accessible and richly detailed, Silent Histories invites a fresh understanding of the past - one that is more inclusive, more surprising and far more human.