JUDEOCONVERSOS AND HEALTH CARE IN FREGENAL DE LA SIERRA (BADAJOZ) IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY: VÁZQUEZ LINEAGE

Abstract

The demographic and economic development of Fregenal de la Sierra started at the end of the Early Middle Ages and continued during most of the 16th century. This development conferred Fregenal an urban character and fostered the establishment of a health care system which met the needs of its population. Among the numerous professionals working along the period dealt with, there are several families of judeoconverso origin who stand out. One of them is the Vazquez family, whose surgeon members are studied here.