A Medieval Image to Rethink
Close your eyes and imagine the Middle Ages: muddy streets, people wrapped in rags, cold and gloomy castles. This is the image that movies and TV series have deeply ingrained in our collective imagination.
But the historical reality is quite different: the Middle Ages was a vibrant era of colors, personal care, and refined aesthetics that we can still admire today in illuminated manuscripts, cathedral stained glass windows, and period chronicles.
Medieval Colors: A Vibrant Palette
Contrary to the myth of gray and lifeless clothing, the Middle Ages was rich in vibrant medieval colors. Fabrics were dyed with natural pigments such as:
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Madder (deep red),
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Woad (blue),
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Weld (yellow),
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Indigo, and even
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powdered gold.
The wealthiest displayed more stable and rare shades, such as ultramarine blue extracted from lapis lazuli or the famous Tyrian purple.
It wasn’t unusual to see even common folk wearing bright clothes, though less durable: color reflected social class, religion, and profession.
Medieval fashion and art—from illuminated manuscripts to stained glass windows—offer undeniable proof of a world far from monochrome.
Medieval Hygiene: Cleaner Than We Think
One of the most persistent clichés is that of a filthy and smelly Middle Ages. However, historical sources tell a different story.
Until the mid-14th century, personal hygiene was highly valued, and public baths were common across many European cities, including Paris, London, and Florence.
In Germany and the Netherlands, badstuben (medieval public baths) were not only places for cleaning but also centers for socializing, where people could enjoy massages and wellness treatments. London was famous for its stewhouses (bathhouses) along the Thames.
The fear of water as a disease carrier—sparked by the Black Death of 1348—led to a gradual decline in bathing practices. But up to that point, washing was considered normal and even healthy.
The Cities of Public Baths
Many major medieval cities boasted a true public bath culture.
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Florence was famous for its Bagni di San Giovanni, located near the Baptistery.
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Paris had numerous bathhouses; in the 13th century, over 20 could be found just on the Île de la Cité.
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London featured the well-known stewhouses, offering hot baths and body treatments.
In the Germanic regions, the badstuben tradition was deeply rooted. These medieval public baths were not just for hygiene but also spaces for socialization and, at times, romantic encounters (occasionally raising suspicions among religious authorities).
Even small villages had facilities—often linked to monasteries—where pilgrims could cleanse themselves before continuing their journey.
Medieval Castles: From Latrines to Bath Chambers
Beyond their military function, medieval castles were places where prestige and personal decorum were also displayed through hygiene.
Latrines, called garderobe, were built jutting out from the walls or towers, allowing waste to drain outside or into special pits. Some advanced castles even had rudimentary plumbing systems that brought water into inner courtyards.
The most prestigious castles—like Norman fortresses or grand French royal residences—featured real bath chambers, equipped with wooden or stone tubs.
Nobles and knights bathed regularly, assisted by servants who prepared hot baths infused with aromatic herbs. Chronicles show that personal care was a sign of status: the use of combs, scented oils, and even primitive tooth powders was widespread among the aristocracy.
Fun fact: Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen of France and later England, was renowned for her regular baths and for introducing hygienic practices to Western courts learned during the Crusades.
Fun Fact: The Hygiene Rules of Monks
Another often-overlooked aspect involves medieval monasteries.
Religious orders—especially the Benedictines and Cistercians—had strict rules regarding medieval hygiene. Monks washed their hands and faces multiple times a day, and abbeys were often equipped with lavatores (communal washing basins) and sophisticated water systems.
A famous example is the monastery of Cluny, which had an advanced water supply system capable of bringing running water to kitchens and monastic baths—a true marvel of medieval engineering.
A Medieval World of Art and Beauty
Beyond hygiene, medieval fashion and aesthetics reveal a love for beauty and detail. Gothic cathedrals, with their colorful stained glass windows, and illuminated manuscripts speak of a refined and meticulous taste.
Even armor, often imagined as plain shining metal, was frequently adorned with colored enamel and fine fabric inserts.
Where Do Our Myths Come From?
The gloomy vision of the Middle Ages stems from a long historical distortion.
The Renaissance deliberately painted the Middle Ages as a "dark age" to elevate its own cultural revival. Nineteenth-century historians further solidified this negative view, perpetuated into modern times by movies and popular literature.
Rediscovering the True Essence of the Middle Ages
This deeper look at the Middle Ages reveals a world far removed from the muddy and grim image so often portrayed.
Cities bustled with life and a culture of body care, medieval castles had dedicated spaces for noble wellness, and monasteries enforced strict hygienic routines.
By shedding our biases, we can rediscover the incredible cultural and social heritage the Middle Ages left us—much closer and more fascinating than we might imagine.
It’s time to view the Middle Ages not as a "dark age," but as a rich, complex, and... colorful chapter of history.
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