Valentine Greatracks (1628-1682)

During the Middle Ages and extending into the 17th century, French and English monarchs were believed to have the power of healing with the “royal touch,” a form of laying on of hands. Most commonly the royal touch was applied to healing scrofula, a disease that often went into remission on its own, possibly explaining the cures. At this time, in 1666, Valentine Greatracks, though not a monarch, achieved fame as an extraordinary healer.

Greatracks' talent was discovered after frequently having an impulse suggested to him, whether waking or sleeping, that he had the gift of curing scrofula. He concealed the impulse for some time but finally told his wife, who replied that it was his idle imagination. Then, a man brought his sick son to Greatracks’ wife (who used to distribute medicines in charity to the neighbors). Greatracks described the incident:

“My wife came and told me that I had now an opportunity to try my impulse, for there was one at hand that had the evil grievously in the eyes, throat, and cheeks, whereupon I laid my hands on the places afflicted, and prayed to God, for Jesus’ sake, to heal him. In a few days afterwards the father brought his son so changed that the eye was almost quite whole, and…within a month he was perfectly healed…”

After this Greatracks cured another patient, to the astonishment of the physician who said if he cured that person he might heal all manner of diseases. Eventually, an immense number of people sought out Greatracks for healing, so much so that he could neither follow his own business nor enjoy the company of his family and friends. His stables, barns and other outhouses were filled with the sick of all sorts of diseases, and he cured many of them.

The Church being opposed to the healing of the sick and the laying on of hands, the local diocese pursued a case against Greatracks, and he was ordered to stop. However, he proceeded until his fame reached England. There, the crowds followed his footsteps and were healed in great numbers. Greatracks was even summoned by King Charles II, who recommended the healer to his courtiers and physicians. He remained in London some time, where he became the wonder of many, and the subject of ridicule to others. Ultimately, his detractors were unsuccessful, as Greatracks was fortified by many testimonials signed by the most respectable, pious, and learned men and women in England.

A contemporary report describes Greatracks healing method:

“Mr. Greatracks gave present ease to [the patient’s] head by only stroking it with his hands. he then fell to rubbing his back, which he most complained of, but the pain immediately fled from his hand to his right thigh, then he pursued it with his hand to his knee, from thence to his leg, angle, foot, and, at last, to his great toe. As it fell lower, it grew more violent, and when in his toe it make him roar out, but upon rubbing it there it vanished.”

Another instance is described involving a girl who was seized with great pain, weakness and swelling in her knees for six or seven years:

“He stroked both her knees, and gave her present ease, the pain flying downwards from his hand till he drove it out of her toes, and the swelling in short time wore away, and never troubled her after.”

Greatracks explained his cures as follows:

“Many demand of me why some are cured, and not all; to which question I answer that God may please to make use of such means by me as shall operate according to the dispositions of the patient, and therefore cannot be expected to be alike effectual in all. They also demand further of me why some are cured at once and not all, and why the pains should fly immediately out of some and take such ambages in others, and why it should go out of some at their eyes, some at their fingers, some at their ears or mouths. To which I say, if all these things could have a plain account given of them, there would be no cause to count them strange. Let them tell me what substance that is which removes and goes out with so great expedition, and it will be more easy to resolve their questions. Some will know of me why or how I do pursue some pains from place to place till I have chased them out of the body by laying my hands on the outside of the clothes only (as is usual), and not all pains. To which I answer, that many have been abundantly satisfied that it is so, though I am not able to give a reason yet; I am apt to believe there are some pains which afflict men after the manner of evil spirits, which kind of pains cannot endure my hand, nay, not my gloves, but fly immediately, though six or eight coats or cloaks can be put between the persons and my hand… Now another question will arise, whether the operation of the hand proceeds from the temperature of my body, or from a Divine gift, or from both. To which I say that I have reason to believe there is some extraordinary gift of God.”

Source: “Dublin Penny Journal,” June 15, 1833.