This research began in Montpellier, in the south of France. I wanted to work on medieval disability, following a long family history that made me very curious about this issue in pre-modern times. A meeting with Mr. Julien Théry, who introduced me to supplications and papal letters, in which I found a formidable cache of material for the cultural history of the medieval period, marked the beginning of the long path that is the writing of a book. I ‘go up’ to Paris to meet Mr. Henri-Jacques Stiker, whose book, Corps infirmes et société, was always at my bedside. He introduced me to Mr. Didier Lett, in whom I found a thesis director, in the noblest sense of the word. His help and advices allowed me to give substance to my ideas. I would also like to thank Mrs. Maaike van der Lugt, Mrs. Irina Metzler, Mr. Charles de Miramon, and Mrs. Myriam Winance, who did me the honor of reading and discussing this work.

This book would never have seen the light of day without the financial, but also human and logistical support of the University of Paris Diderot, and more particularly of the ICT laboratory and its successive directors, Mrs. Liliane Hilaire-Pérez, Mrs. Anna Caiozzo, and Mrs. Charlotte de Castelnau-l’Estoile as well as Mrs. Laurence Griffoul. I particularly thank the ED 382, its former director, Mr. Jean-Pierre Guilhembet, and its former co-director, Mrs. Florence Binard, for the training I received during the thesis. I would also like to thank the students of the University of Paris Diderot for the pleasure I took in teaching them medieval history, historiography, and historical methodology. I feel honoured to have seen them grow and flourish in contact with the teaching staff and their nascent or already affirmed passion.

My research benefited from three grants from the École française de Rome, during which I was able to build up my corpus of documents. I would like to thank Mrs. Catherine Virlouvet, Mr. Pierre Savy, and Mr. Stéphane Gioanni for having welcomed me, as well as those in charge of the library of the French School, Mrs. Annie Coisy and Mr. Clément Pieyre, for their letters, which allowed me to enter the Vatican Apostolic Archives. I took great advantage of the ideal setting offered by the French School, which gave rhythm to my research during my stays.