17 things you didn't know about the Middle Ages

The Middle Ages was a complex era filled with sweeping changes, marked by significant events such as the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the rise of Islam, the Crusades, and the Renaissance's dawn.

While it’s true that this period saw periods of conflict and upheaval, it was also a time of profound transformation and innovation, with its own share of vibrancy and dynamism that often get overlooked.

The goal of this article is not to romanticize the Middle Ages, but to delve deeper, to explore the lesser-known aspects, to debunk some popular myths, and to shed light on some of the surprising and strange elements that you might not know about this era.

As we navigate through topics ranging from daily life and society, food and drink, medicine and health, technology and innovation, culture and entertainment, to political intrigue and religion, we will discover a Middle Ages quite different from the clichéd image often depicted.

Contrary to popular belief, cleanliness and hygiene were not entirely abandoned during the Middle Ages.

Though the standard of hygiene varied significantly depending on one's social status and the time period within the Middle Ages, evidence suggests people cared about cleanliness.

Bathing, for instance, was not uncommon. Public baths were popular in the earlier part of the Middle Ages, particularly in urban centers.

Soap was known and used, and practices like hand washing before meals were often encouraged.

While it's true that the understanding of hygiene was not as sophisticated as it is today, it's a misconception to paint everyone from the Middle Ages as perpetually filthy.

Medieval society was hierarchical but not simply divided between knights and peasants.

The nobility did consist of kings, queens, and knights, but also encompassed dukes, earls, and barons.

The clergy, another significant class, ranged from humble parish priests to powerful bishops and archbishops.

Meanwhile, the peasantry was not a monolith, comprising serfs, freemen, and villeins, each with different rights and obligations.

Emerging during the later Middle Ages, the middle class, or bourgeoisie, was made up of tradespeople, merchants, and early forms of professionals.

Understanding this diverse tapestry of social classes enriches our view of life in the Middle Ages.

When it comes to women's roles in the Middle Ages, we often think of damsels in distress, devout nuns, or malevolent witches.

While these archetypes did exist, they are only a fraction of the picture. Women in the Middle Ages, much like the men, lived diverse lives depending on their social status, location, and the period within the Middle Ages.

They could run businesses, manage estates in their husbands' absence, work in the fields, or perform skilled work like brewing or midwifery.

Some women, like Hildegard of Bingen and Julian of Norwich, made significant contributions to religious literature and thought.

While it's true that women had fewer rights compared to men and their roles were often circumscribed by societal norms and religious beliefs, women in the Middle Ages were far from being mere passive spectators in their lives.

One common myth is that everyone in the Middle Ages consumed ale or wine because water was unsafe to drink.

The truth is a bit more nuanced. While it's correct that ale and wine were common, water was also frequently consumed, especially by those who couldn't afford the former.

The notion that medieval people drank ale to avoid dirty water is partly a misconception.

They knew about boiling water to make it safer and often had access to fresh water from springs or wells.

The preference for ale and wine was also due to their caloric value and the ease with which they could be stored.

The Middle Ages marked a significant period in the spice trade, which connected Europe with Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Spices like black pepper, cinnamon, and ginger were highly prized, but not just for adding flavor to food.

They were also valued for their purported medicinal properties and as a means of preserving food.

Moreover, owning and using spices was a status symbol, indicating wealth and social standing.

Our understanding of medieval food is often limited to well-known staples like bread, meat, and cheese. However, the medieval diet was far more diverse.

People consumed a wide variety of vegetables, including cabbages, onions, and peas.

They ate several types of fruits, both fresh and dried. They also ate other types of proteins, including fish, eggs, and legumes.

Honey was a common sweetener, as sugar was a luxury. In some regions, foods we might find surprising were commonplace, such as peacock, beaver tail, or porpoise, depending on availability and religious observance.

These culinary traditions highlight the variety and adaptability of medieval diets, going beyond the usual stereotypes.

While it's true that some medieval medical practices can seem archaic and brutal from a modern perspective, the Middle Ages also saw the advancement of systematic medical thought.

Physicians diagnosed illnesses based on the four humors theory inherited from the Greeks, believing in a balance of blood, black bile, yellow bile, and phlegm.

Herbal remedies were common, and many herbs used then are still used in modern naturopathy.

Additionally, surgery, though primitive by today's standards, was an established field with detailed texts providing instructions on surgical procedures such as setting bones and treating wounds.

Our understanding of mental health in the Middle Ages is limited, but it is clear that medieval society recognized mental illnesses, though not in the way we do today.

Conditions we now classify as mental illnesses were often attributed to an imbalance of the four humors or to supernatural forces.

Nonetheless, treatments could range from dietary changes and rest to music therapy and baths.

The mentally ill were often cared for by the Church or in hospitals that offered, given the standards of the time, a reasonable level of care.

From the heavy plough and the horse collar, which revolutionized agriculture, to the development of the mechanical clock, an innovation that altered perceptions of time, medieval technology had far-reaching effects.

Innovations in architecture and engineering resulted in the construction of awe-inspiring cathedrals, castles, and fortifications.

Moreover, advances in shipbuilding and navigational tools paved the way for the Age of Exploration.

The Middle Ages was also a time of significant progress in textile production, with the introduction of the spinning wheel and fulling mills.

These inventions challenge the prevailing narrative of the 'Dark Ages' and highlight the era's ingenuity and inventiveness.

Literature flourished during the Middle Ages, with genres as diverse as romance, epic, allegory, and mysticism.

Although Latin remained the language of scholarship and the Church, vernacular literature began to thrive.

The period gave us timeless works like Dante's "Divine Comedy," Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," and the anonymous "Beowulf."

Troubadours and minnesingers contributed to the development of lyric poetry, often centered on themes of courtly love.

These literary works reflect the complexity of medieval society, capturing its values, beliefs, and daily life.

Music was an integral part of medieval life. It was present in the Church, in the courts, and among the people.

The Middle Ages saw the development of musical notation, the rise of polyphony, and the composition of plainchant, also known as Gregorian chant.

Secular music thrived as well, with troubadours and minstrels performing songs and ballads.

Dance, too, played a significant role in medieval society. It was not just a form of entertainment but also a part of ceremonial and festive occasions.

From line dances to circle dances, the styles were varied and regionally distinct.

Sports and games were a popular form of entertainment in the Middle Ages.

Outdoor activities such as hunting, hawking, archery, and various ball games were enjoyed by different classes.

For the nobility, tournaments were important occasions, showcasing martial skill, courage, and chivalry.

Indoor games like chess, checkers, and backgammon gained popularity, while children played with dolls, tops, and hoops.

These pastimes not only provided amusement but also facilitated social bonding and offered a release from daily rigors.

Politics during the Middle Ages was a complex and often dangerous game, featuring ambitious monarchs, cunning advisors, influential clergy, and powerful nobles.

Kings and queens had to maneuver delicately to maintain their authority, often relying on marriages to cement alliances and secure their lineage.

The Church also played a significant role in politics, wielding immense influence through excommunication and interdict.

At the same time, power struggles were commonplace, both within the ruling dynasty and among the nobility, often leading to plots, rebellions, and civil wars.

These intrigues show us the multifaceted and unpredictable nature of medieval politics.

The art of war in the Middle Ages extended far beyond pitched battles and sieges. While knights and castles often dominate our imagination, warfare was much more varied. Guile and strategy were just as important as brute force.

Feigned retreats, night raids, ambushes, and the use of terrain were all part of the military playbook.

In addition, unconventional warfare tactics were used. One example is the "chevauchée," a method used during the Hundred Years' War where armies would raid enemy territory to undermine the enemy's ability to wage war and demoralize the population.

Biological warfare also made an appearance: during the siege of Caffa, for instance, the attacking Mongol forces reportedly hurled plague-infected corpses over the city walls to spread disease among the defenders.

The Catholic Church was a major institution in the Middle Ages, wielding vast religious, political, and social power.

The Church touched almost every aspect of life, from birth to death, providing spiritual guidance and practical support.

It was a center for learning and scholarship, preserving and producing important works of literature, philosophy, and science.

Moreover, it played a significant role in politics, influencing kings and queens, and even leading armies in the Crusades.

The Middle Ages also witnessed intense spiritual experiences and dissenting voices.

Mysticism, or the pursuit of a deep, direct experience of the divine, was prevalent. Figures like Julian of Norwich, Meister Eckhart, and St. John of the Cross explored profound spiritual experiences, often expressing them in beautiful and influential texts.

However, the Church didn't always view these mystical experiences favorably, sometimes regarding them as heretical.

The period also saw several heretical movements, such as the Cathars and the Waldensians, challenging the Church's authority and doctrine.

These movements, though ultimately suppressed, raised significant theological and social questions and prompted the Church to refine its teachings and practices.

Pilgrimage was another important aspect of medieval spirituality. People undertook arduous journeys to sacred sites, such as Jerusalem, Rome, or Santiago de Compostela, seeking penance, miracles, or spiritual insight.

Relics of saints were venerated, and miracles associated with them were believed to heal the sick and perform wonders.

The cult of saints permeated medieval life, offering people a spiritual connection that was both personal and communal.