History of women in 100 objects: Powick Asylum records

Powick Asylum records reveal Ellen Bullock, a Worcestershire farmer’s wife, was admitted to the mental asylum in 1877, but her mental problems were a response to her tempestuous marriage and once her relationship with her husband came to an end so did her symptoms. In the nineteenth century, definitions of madness and treatment were strongly gendered, shaped by assumption of  ‘normal’ female behaviour and the idea that women were psychologically the weaker sex.

Professor Maggie Andrews is a historian and author of 'A history of women in 100 objects'

Keywords: Worcester, Powick Asylum, Mental Health, Women

In Women, Worcestershire,

Presented by:

Professor Maggie Andrews

Directed by:

Simon Russell

Produced by:

IDM Media

Thanks to:

Professor Maggie Andrews, George Marshall Medical Museum, Louise Price, British Pathe, Mary Evans Picture Library, Alamy

Recorded By:

IDM Media

Producer:

Simon Russell

Run Time:

4.33

Copyright Date:

2019