6 myths about the Middle Ages that everyone believes - Stephanie Honchell Smith
TED-Ed・4 minutes read
The Middle Ages in Europe from the 5th to the 15th century were not as ignorant as commonly believed, with scholars studying ancient texts, increased literacy rates, and safe meat preservation. Contrary to myths, medieval Europeans had access to hygiene practices like public bathhouses, soap, and oral care, while the idea of medieval torture devices and chastity belts is mostly exaggerated and misunderstood.
Insights
- Scholars of the Middle Ages were not as uneducated as commonly believed; they studied ancient texts, had increasing literacy rates, and preserved meats safely with spices.
- The medieval Europeans had access to public bathhouses, practiced oral hygiene, and the infamous medieval torture devices were largely exaggerated, with many being more modern inventions. Medieval Europe was diverse, challenging the notion of a singular cohesive period.
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Recent questions
Were medieval Europeans uneducated?
No, scholars studied ancient texts and literacy increased.
Did medieval Europeans believe the Earth was flat?
No, this is a misconception about medieval beliefs.
How did medieval Europeans preserve meat?
They preserved meats safely with spices.
Did medieval Europeans have access to public bathhouses?
Yes, they had access to public bathhouses.
Were medieval torture devices like the Iron Maiden common?
No, many torture devices were exaggerated or recent inventions.
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Summary
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Misconceptions and Realities of Medieval Europe
- The term "Middle Ages" refers to a 1,000-year period in Europe from the 5th to the 15th century, characterized by misconceptions like medieval people being uneducated, believing the Earth was flat, and consuming rotten meat. However, scholars of the time studied ancient texts, had increasing literacy rates, and preserved meats safely with spices being a luxury item.
- Contrary to popular belief, medieval Europeans had access to public bathhouses, used soaps made of animal fat and herbs, and practiced oral hygiene with mouthwash and teeth-cleaning tools. The notion of medieval torture devices like the Iron Maiden and Pear of Anguish is largely exaggerated, with many devices being more recent inventions.
- Medieval legal proceedings involved fines, imprisonment, and corporal punishment, with extreme measures like drawing and quartering reserved for severe crimes. Chastity belts were likely a jest mentioned by a German engineer in the 15th century, later becoming subjects of satire mistaken for historical reality. Medieval Europe was diverse, with interactions from various cultures and trade routes challenging the idea of a singular, cohesive medieval period.
