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Who doesn’t love a good medieval tale? The Middle Ages evoke images of knights in shining armor, fire-breathing dragons, and peasants toiling away in muddy fields. How much of what we think we know about this era is actually true? Much of what we believe is more myth than reality. For instance, the famed “Dark Ages.”
Many assume this time lacked innovation, but The University of California, Riverside’s research highlights how the Middle Ages were a period of notable progress, particularly in agriculture and architecture. Here are 15 common myths about this fascinating period that will challenge your preconceptions.
People in the Middle Ages believed the Earth Was Flat
You might picture medieval folks clutching onto maps with edges falling off into oblivion, but in reality, many educated Europeans knew the Earth was round. This myth illustrated the perceived backwardness of that era.
It largely stems from a misinterpretation of earlier thinkers like Saint Augustine and some creative retrofitting for dramatic effect during the 19th century.
Knights Were Chivalrous Champions of Justice
Medieval knights were depicted as knightly heroes, but they weren’t that. Knights were professional warriors who fought for their ends and sometimes brutalized peasants and commoners.
Chivalry was never really around until the late Middle Ages when it was more of a discipline for nobility than a rulebook for all knights.
Women Had No Rights or Influence
Another popular misconception is that women were not entitled to rights or power in the Middle Ages. Sure, they were limited and viewed with prejudice, but some powerful women also held considerable political and social power.
For example, Eleanor of Aquitaine was a skilled diplomat and ruler, while Joan of Arc led an army into battle. Women also held positions as abbesses, or female leaders of religious communities, and could inherit property from their families.
The Iron Maiden Was a Common Torture Device
You might have come across depictions of the Iron Maiden, an inside spiked-metal coffin used extensively in medieval torture. No one is to suggest that it ever existed at this time.
Historians generally believe it was invented in the 19th century as a prop for horror movies and carnival rides. It presumably was based on older reports of similar devices, but never applied in the Middle Ages.
Everyone Died Young
Life expectancy in the Middle Ages varied significantly based on various factors, including social class, location, and time period. Life expectancy was lower in the Middle Ages mainly due to high infant mortality rates.
That rate distorted the total numbers and gave an inaccurate impression of shorter lifespans. Those who survived childhood had a decent chance of living into their 50s or 60s.
The Church Opposed All Scientific Progress
The Catholic Church is commonly cast as a foe of scientific progress in the Middle Ages, but that’s not quite the case. Religious and scientific differences were certainly at odds, but the church also sponsored and encouraged scientific discoveries in medicine, astronomy, and architecture.
Monasteries emerged as centers of learning that sustained and extended the ancient world, producing many major scientific findings.
Vikings Wore Horned Helmets
The image of a fierce Viking wearing a helmet with horns is iconic, but it’s also completely inaccurate. This image, popularized by 19th-century opera costumes, has no basis in archaeological findings.
Horned helmets would have been impractical and dangerous in battle. Viking helmets, on the other hand, were practical and hornless, designed for protection rather than intimidation on stage.
Medieval Food Was Bland and Gross
Think medieval food was gruel and moldy bread? Try again. Some dishes might not have met contemporary standards, but medieval food was by no means bland or tasteless. There were spices for flavoring and meats, vegetables, fruits, and grains in a meal.
The food was also heavily seasoned with herbs and vinegar sauces. There are wide varieties of flavors and cooking methods presented in recipes of the era.
Peasants Were Uneducated and Ignorant
Formal education was rare, and literacy rates were lower among peasants compared to the wealthy and nobility. However, this didn’t necessarily mean they were uneducated or ignorant. Peasants had practical knowledge of farming, animal husbandry, and other trades necessary for survival.
Many peasants were educated through guilds or apprenticeships, and some were even trained as skilled craftspeople. The assumption that all peasants were dumb merely reinforces class hierarchies and undervalues the work of these unpaid labourers.
Witches Were Commonly Burned at the Stake
The stereotype of a witch being burned at the stake is a prevalent one, but it was actually a relatively rare occurrence during the Middle Ages. Instances of witch trials and executions did not become widespread until the 16th and 17th centuries during the Early Modern period.
The witch hunts and burnings, such as the infamous Salem witch trials in 1692 in colonial Massachusetts, occurred during later eras due to societal fears and religious fervor. Most medieval societies viewed witchcraft as a minor offense rather than a major threat, and punishments were usually less severe.
People Ate Rotten Meat and Drank Dirty Water
Contrary to popular belief, medieval people did not eat rotten meat or drink dirty water. They were aware of food preservation methods such as salting and smoking meats, and they also had access to fresh fruits and vegetables in the summer months.
Water was often boiled before drinking, and ale was a popular alternative to potentially contaminated water. Hygiene practices were not up to modern standards, but it is inaccurate to assume that medieval people constantly suffered from food poisoning or died from drinking unclean water.
Castles Were Cold and Damp
Castles, though not as cozy as modern homes, were certainly not stone refrigerators. Some may have been drafty and uncomfortable, but many were built with heating systems such as fireplaces or central heating in the form of underfloor heating called “hypocausts.”
Even without these amenities, castle interiors could be surprisingly warm due to their thick stone walls that retained heat. Castles also had gardens and courtyards for outdoor activities during warmer months.
The Black Death Was Caused by Witchcraft or Jews
The Black Death, which decimated Europe in the mid-14th century, resulted in the loss of an estimated 25-30 million people, or about one-third of the continent’s population at the time, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica.
It is often attributed to witchcraft or Jewish people poisoning wells. However, modern science has confirmed that it was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis carried by fleas on rats. This myth likely arose from societal prejudices and fear during great uncertainty and devastation.
People Were Shorter in the Middle Ages
It is a common misconception that people were significantly shorter during the Middle Ages. Malnutrition and disease could stunt growth, but many individuals were quite tall by today’s standards. This belief is often based on inaccurate representations in art and literature.
Skeletal remains show that medieval individuals could be just as tall as modern people. Average height also varied depending on factors such as nutrition and genetics, similar to today’s population.
Everyone Was Filthy and Never Bathed
It turns out that medieval Europeans weren’t all dirty nobodies. The middle ages, especially the rich and urbanites, had their baths fairly regularly.
Historian Katherine Ashenburg, in her book The Dirt on Clean: An Unsanitized History, revealed that many medieval cities had public bathhouses, a testament to the value placed on hygiene.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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