Grimy Middle Ages

The book by historian and re-enactor Ekaterina Mishanenko is dedicated to debunking popular myths about the Middle Ages. In the Middle Ages, people were dreadfully dirty and smelly — they never washed, didn’t clean their clothes, knights would relieve themselves... right where they stood, in their armor, and wide-brimmed hats were worn to protect against slops and the contents of chamber pots, which were constantly thrown out of windows. Queen Isabella of Castile vowed not to change her underwear until the Moors were expelled from Spain and only washed twice in her life. Louis XIV smelled "like a wild beast." King Frederick Barbarossa nearly drowned in filth. And scented curtains were hung on the windows of the British Parliament to protect against the stench coming from the Thames. Which of this is true and which is fiction? How was a medieval bath or toilet actually arranged? How did parts wash clothes and what perfumes did medieval people use? Let’s turn to the facts.

Author: Екатерина Мишаненков

Printhouse: AST

Series: Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages

Age restrictions: 12+

Year of publication: 2025

ISBN: 9785171627973

Number of pages: 352

Size: 205x130x24 mm

Cover type: мягкая

Weight: 367 g

ID: 1714230

The book by historian and re-enactor Ekaterina Mishanenko is dedicated to debunking popular myths about the Middle Ages. In the Middle Ages, people were dreadfully dirty and smelly — they never washed, didn’t clean their clothes, knights would relieve themselves right where they stood, in their armor, and wide-brimmed hats were worn to protect against slops and the contents of chamber pots, which were constantly thrown out of windows. Queen Isabella of Castile vowed not to change her underwear until the Moors were expelled from Spain and only washed twice in her life. Louis XIV smelled "like a wild beast." King Frederick Barbarossa nearly drowned in filth. And scented curtains were hung on the windows of the British Parliament to protect against the stench coming from the Thames. Which of this is true and which is fiction? How was a medieval bath or toilet actually arranged? How did parts wash clothes and what perfumes did medieval people use? Let’s turn to the facts.

Sold out

Expected delivery time – up to 2 weeks

€ 14.69

Sold out

Expected delivery time – up to 2 weeks

€ 14.69

Bestsellers

See all

Grimy Middle Ages

Bestsellers

Publishers "AST" recommends

Sign up for our news!