Sarah de Sancto Aegidio (of St. Gilles) was a Jewish medieval female doctor who lived in Marseille in the 14th century. History has forgotten Sarah. Yet, existing data suggest that she was a famous female healer during her time.

Sarah Saint-Gilles: a medieval female doctor of some renown

The widow of a fellow physician named Avraham, her existence is documented through a contract dated August 28, 1326, between herself and her student, Salvetus de Burgonoro from Salon-de-Provence. According to this contract, Sarah of Saint-Gilles agreed to teach Salvetus medicine and to provide him with board, lodging, and clothing for seven months. In return, Salvetus was required to hand over all the fees he earned from treating patients during this period.

Other Jewish women healers in the Middle Ages

Records yield the names of other medieval female doctors. Likewise, another Jewish woman surgeon named Chava practiced in 15th-century Manosque. Around this time, four of the seven Jewish women doctors in Frankfurt were noted for their expertise in eye medicine. These women healers likely learned their skills from other practitioners or family members.

Little is know about Sarah of Saint-Gilles. Her story unveils the existence of a medieval female doctor renowned enough for a man to agree to be her apprentice. She does not appear to have encountered any opposition in the course of her work.

I run this project on a voluntary basis because I think these women’s stories deserve to be told. My goal is to build a comprehensive online archive to safeguard this heritage.

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Further reading and bibliography about medieval Jewish women

Decker Sarah Ifft, Jewish Women in the Medieval World 500–1500 CE

Taitz Emily, Henry Sondra, Tallan Cheryl,  The JPS Guide to Jewish Women

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