Up until the late 14th century, Galen's writings (A.D. 129-216) were an unchallenged source of information on human anatomy. In the late medieval period, however, the field of medicine began to change. Doctors and their students sought information that was drawn from their own observation and experience. They believed that a better understanding of the human body would allow them to practice medicine more effectively. Accordingly, dissection of cadavers for information and instruction became a part of medicine. The practice was not widespread until the 15th century and didn't reach the British Isles until the mid-16th century.

Initially, lecturers dissected a body while students observed, and the demand for cadavers was low. Later, as schools became more numerous and students began conducting dissections themselves, the need for cadavers grew. Countries on continental Europe met the challenge by passing anatomy laws on how anatomists could...