“Medieval people were dirty and rarely bathed.”

The idea that medieval people were universally dirty and rarely bathed is a persistent misconception, often perpetuated by popular culture depictions. This myth largely stems from a combination of factors, including early historical interpretations, particularly from the Victorian era, which sometimes drew heavily on religious texts. Some zealous Christians of the time viewed excessive washing as a worldly act that encouraged sinful pride, and accounts of certain extremely pious individuals who eschewed bathing as a form of religious discipline were sometimes taken out of context to represent the general populace. Furthermore, the lack of modern plumbing and sewage systems in medieval cities, which could indeed be unsanitary, contributed to the stereotype of an unhygienic society.

However, historical and archaeological evidence paints a much different picture. Medieval people, across social classes, understood the importance of cleanliness and practiced various forms of personal hygiene. Public bathhouses were common fixtures in many towns across Europe, serving as social centers where people bathed, ate, and even conducted business. Even for those without access to public baths, daily washing of hands and face with basins of water was a standard practice, particularly before and after meals. People used soaps, often made from animal fat and wood ash, and scented their water with herbs. Wealthy individuals might have private bathtubs and even running hot and cold water in their homes.

The enduring belief in this myth can be attributed to several reasons. Visual media, like films and video games, frequently portray medieval characters as unkempt and mud-caked, reinforcing the outdated stereotype. Additionally, a modern understanding of hygiene, often synonymous with sterility and daily showers, makes it difficult for some to reconcile with pre-modern practices, leading to an assumption of overall uncleanliness. While medieval hygiene standards differed from our own, they were far from absent, reflecting a practical approach to cleanliness based on available resources and contemporary medical understanding.