7 Shocking Filthy Reality of the Middle Ages: A Look at Medieval Hygiene and Living Conditions
Young caucasian woman in a yellow hoodie covers nose with hand, smells something awful, pinches nose, frowns in displeasure, sees pile of garbage, feels bad odour, isolated over yellow background
The Middle Ages, spanning roughly from the 5th to the late 15th century, were a time of significant societal change, but also of extreme hardship, unsanitary conditions, and primitive living standards.
Life for most people, particularly the peasants, was harsh, brutal, and, above all, filthy. While the upper classes might have had access to some basic comforts, the overwhelming majority of medieval people lived in squalor.
Understanding the conditions of this time reveals the disturbing realities of hygiene, cleanliness, and daily life.
Medieval Hygiene
Lack of Bathing and Personal Hygiene
Personal hygiene in the Middle Ages was a luxury few could afford. Public bathhouses existed, but their usage was inconsistent, and they were often associated with unsanitary conditions.
While noblemen and wealthy individuals may have had access to private baths, the average peasant had limited access to water.
Peasants living in rural areas often lacked running water, forcing them to rely on nearby rivers or lakes. However, these bodies of water were far from pristine.
River water, polluted by waste and contaminants from upstream, was the only available resource for bathing. Most people would bathe infrequently, sometimes only a few times per year, if at all.
When they managed to clean themselves, they were not uncommonly using dirty water from nearby sources. Hygiene, in the modern sense, was practically non-existent.
No Soap, No Shampoo
The lack of soap and shampoo further complicated personal hygiene. Although the wealthy might have used scented oils or soaps, peasants had to make do with natural substances or nothing at all.
Washing one’s hair was a rare event, and lice and fleas were common companions for the masses. Soap, when available, was often made from animal fat and lye, far from the gentle cleansers we use today.
A Medieval Toilet
Primitive Toilets and Chamber Pots
In medieval times, sanitation was rudimentary at best. The wealthy had access to rudimentary toilets, benches with holes, used within the comfort of their homes. However, for most of the population, the reality was far grimier.
Peasants had to rely on chamber pots or outhouses to relieve themselves. Once filled, these chamber pots had to be emptied, a task that was as unpleasant as it sounds.
The excrement would either be dumped into the streets or into rivers, sometimes both. The streets of towns and villages were often covered in human waste, attracting rats, vermin, and diseases.
In some medieval cities, waste was even thrown from windows onto the streets below. The smell of human waste permeated the air, contributing to an environment rife with disease.
The Danger of Cesspits and Contaminated Water
The waste didn’t just disappear; it pooled in cesspits, posing a health hazard to the entire community.
These cesspits, often shared by entire neighborhoods, were breeding grounds for bacteria, viruses, and pests.
Unfortunately, the medieval population lacked an understanding of how germs spread, so they did not realize that their practices were contributing to the spread of disease.
The waste would leak into the surrounding soil, often contaminating water supplies and causing widespread illness.
Clothing in the Middle Ages
The Struggle for Clean Clothes
Clothing, while often modest and simple, posed another significant challenge. For peasants, clothes were worn for extended periods without washing.
Changing undergarments, a luxury for wealthier individuals, was not a common practice. Instead, clothing was worn until it fell apart.
Most peasants only had access to a river or lake to wash their clothes, and that was on a good day. The water they used to wash their garments was no cleaner than the water they bathed in.
Therefore, clothes were washed in filthy, contaminated water, leaving them not only dirty but also a breeding ground for disease.
The Dangers of Unwashed Garments
The inability to regularly launder clothes led to the proliferation of lice, fleas, and other parasites.
Even when clothes were occasionally washed, the parasites remained a constant problem.
Medieval people had little understanding of how these pests spread or how to eradicate them effectively, leaving them a constant, irritating presence in their lives.
Infestation
Living with Lice and Fleas
Lice, fleas, and other parasites were an unfortunate part of medieval life. Without access to proper hygiene or treatments, infestations of these pests were inevitable.
The medieval population lacked knowledge of the causes of lice infestations or of how to manage them effectively.
Comb makers designed special combs to help with delousing, but this was a futile battle. The lice would always return, and the cycle continued.
A Social Activity: Delousing
Interestingly, delousing became a communal activity. People would gather together and help each other rid themselves of lice, turning what was a disgusting chore into a form of social interaction.
Women, in particular, sometimes made a living by offering delousing services to military groups and others who required assistance.
The Sleeping Conditions
Sleeping on Straw or Hay
The average peasant had to sleep on beds made of straw or hay. While this might seem like a more comfortable option compared to sleeping on the cold, hard ground, it came with significant downsides.
These beds were infested with bugs, including fleas and bedbugs. The straw was rarely changed, and it quickly became a haven for parasites, leading to constant itching and discomfort.
Shared Bedding
In medieval times, families often slept together in the same bed, not only for warmth but also because of limited space and resources.
This meant that if one family member became ill, the illness would likely spread rapidly to others.
The close quarters and shared bedding made it nearly impossible to prevent the transmission of diseases such as the plague, which ravaged medieval Europe.
Women’s Hygiene
Menstruation and the Lack of Sanitary Products
For women, the difficulties of hygiene were compounded by menstruation. During the Middle Ages, sanitary products like tampons or pads did not exist.
Women had to rely on makeshift solutions, such as rags or moss, to manage their periods. These solutions were not only uncomfortable but also unsanitary.
Without proper hygiene or menstrual care products, women faced an additional layer of hardship in an already difficult time.
The Social Stigma of Menstruation
Menstruation was often viewed with shame and secrecy. Women were expected to hide their menstrual cycles, which only further isolated them during a time when hygiene was already a major challenge.
The lack of understanding and support for women during this time highlights the broader issues of gender inequality that pervaded medieval society.
Conclusion
The Middle Ages were a time of great suffering for the majority of the population. The filthy living conditions, the lack of hygiene, and the constant struggle against pests and disease made daily life incredibly difficult.
For the peasants, who comprised the majority of the population, there was little relief. The absence of basic sanitation, the reliance on contaminated water, and the prevalence of lice and other pests created an environment where survival was a daily battle.
While the wealthy might have had access to some comforts, the vast majority of people lived in squalor.
The legacy of these conditions can still be felt today, as we look back at the Middle Ages and reflect on how far humanity has come in terms of hygiene, medical understanding, and overall quality of life.
