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Did You Know? 20 Fun Facts About Medieval Europe
The Medieval period, spanning roughly from the 5th to the 15th century, was a fascinating era filled with unique customs, beliefs, and practices. Here are 20 intriguing facts about Medieval Europe that showcase the complexity and peculiarity of life during the Middle Ages.
1. Medieval Fast Food
Cities had “fast food” establishments called cookshops where busy workers could purchase pre-prepared meals. These establishments were particularly popular in London and Paris, serving everything from meat pies to soup.
2. The Peaceful Chess Alternative
Chess was introduced to Europe through Islamic Spain and became so popular that the Church tried to ban it several times. They feared it would lead to gambling addiction and violence, though it was actually promoted as a peaceful alternative to military training.
3. Striped Clothing Was Suspicious
During the Middle Ages, wearing striped clothing was considered deviant and dangerous. This belief stemmed from biblical references and the association of stripes with outcasts and criminals.
4. Medieval Dental Hygiene
People cleaned their teeth using cloth and salt or herbs. Some even made rudimentary toothpaste from sage grounds and salt crystals. Contrary to popular belief, dental hygiene wasn’t completely ignored.
5. The Original Recyclers
Medieval people were excellent recyclers out of necessity. Everything from clothing to building materials was reused, repaired, and repurposed until completely unusable.
6. Educational Requirements
Medieval universities required students to learn Latin since all lectures were conducted in this language. Students as young as 14 could attend university.
7. The Sleep Schedule
People typically had a “first sleep” and “second sleep,” with a period of wakefulness in between. This biphasic sleep pattern was normal until the Industrial Revolution.
8. Castle Windows
Castle windows were designed to be narrow on the outside and wider on the inside, not just for defense but also to maximize the amount of light entering the room.
9. Medieval Sport
Football existed in medieval times but was so violent it was banned by several English kings. Entire villages would compete against each other with few rules and many injuries.
10. The Pest Control Method
People kept cats not just as pets but as essential pest controllers. During the Black Death, the mistaken killing of cats (believed to be associated with witchcraft) actually helped spread the disease by allowing rat populations to grow.
11. Marriage Age
While nobles often arranged marriages for very young children, common people typically married in their mid-20s, after establishing themselves financially.
12. The Bread Code
Different social classes ate different types of bread. White bread was for the wealthy, while darker breads were for the poor, leading to the term “upper crust” for the wealthy.
13. Medieval Graffiti
Churches and castles were often covered in graffiti, not vandalism but religious symbols and prayers believed to protect against evil.
14. The Bloodletting Practice
Doctors used astrological charts to determine the best times for bloodletting, believing that different parts of the body were influenced by different zodiac signs.
15. Castle Defense
Spiral staircases in castles were built clockwise, giving defenders (typically right-handed) more room to swing their swords while attackers had limited space.
16. Medieval Timekeeping
Before mechanical clocks became common, time was tracked by canonical hours marked by church bells, with the day divided into uneven hours based on daylight.
17. The Trencher Tradition
People often ate off “trenchers,” which were thick slices of stale bread used as plates. After the meal, these were either eaten by the poor or fed to animals.
18. Musical Innovation
The Middle Ages saw the invention of musical notation as we know it today, developed by monks to standardize religious chants across Europe.
19. Professional Mourners
Wealthy families would hire professional mourners for funerals. The more mourners hired, the more prestigious the funeral was considered.
20. Medieval Magic
Many people, including clergy, practiced forms of magic that mixed Christian prayers with folk remedies and ancient traditions, considering it different from the “evil” witchcraft that was persecuted.
These fascinating facts demonstrate that Medieval Europe was far more complex and sophisticated than often portrayed. From innovative architectural designs to sophisticated social customs and practical solutions to daily challenges, the medieval period was rich with ingenuity and cultural development. Understanding these aspects helps paint a more accurate picture of life during this significant historical period.