Life was harsh, with a limited diet and little comfort. Women were subordinate to men, in both the peasant and noble classes, and were expected to ensure the smooth running of the household. Children had a 50% survival rate beyond age one, and began to contribute to family life around age twelve.

What was life like during medieval times?

Life was harsh, with a limited diet and little comfort. Women were subordinate to men, in both the peasant and noble classes, and were expected to ensure the smooth running of the household. Children had a 50% survival rate beyond age one, and began to contribute to family life around age twelve.

What was life like in a medieval village?

Towns were often unhygienic because of the larger populations and the lack of proper sanitation . Modern toilets and plumbing were a long way in the future and waste was thrown into the streets. Animals such as pigs and sheep roamed and butchers often threw waste meat into the street or river.

When was the medieval period BBC Bitesize?

Overview: The Middle Ages, 1154 – 1485.

Why were medieval towns so dirty?

They were a breeding ground for disease. The upper storeys of houses jutted out into the street, limiting light and air. There were no sewers, so household waste was thrown into the streets. There were large numbers of animals in towns, so there was a lot of manure left to rot down.

What are 5 facts about the Middle Ages?

10 Curious Facts About Life in Medieval Times

• Eels were sometimes used as currency.
• Shoes were ridiculous.
• Animals could be tried and convicted for crimes, and if found guilty sentenced to death.
• Archery practise was for a time compulsory for every able Englishman.
• Football was banned in England on multiple occasions.

What did medieval people eat?

Peasants tended to keep cows, so their diets consisted largely of dairy produce such as buttermilk, cheese, or curds and whey. Rich and poor alike ate a dish called pottage, a thick soup containing meat, vegetables, or bran.

What were medieval streets like?

The streets were commonly dirty, narrow, unpaved, and muddy. Streets leading to the market square, otherwise known as main streets, were typically covered in cobblestones. Medieval city inhabitants had the duty to welcome rural folks who visited the market square to shop for goods.

How did life change in the medieval period?

During the 11th century, however, feudal life began to change. Agricultural innovations such as the heavy plow and three-field crop rotation made farming more efficient and productive, so fewer farm workers were needed–but thanks to the expanded and improved food supply, the population grew.

How did they wash their hair in medieval times?

Hair was cleaned with water, sometimes mixed with ash and herbs to make it shiny and sweet-smelling. Daily combing was also important, and was sometimes combined with the sprinkling of special powders (made from fragrant ingredients such as rose petals).

What did they use for soap in medieval times?

Soap was probably invented in the Orient and brought to the West early in the Middle Ages. This was a soft soap without much detergent power. Generally it was made in the manorial workshops, of accumulated mutton fat, wood ash or potash, and natural soda.

What happened in the medieval times?

The Late Middle Ages was marked by difficulties and calamities including famine, plague, and war, which significantly diminished the population of Europe; between 1347 and 1350, the Black Death killed about a third of Europeans.

How did children live in the Middle Ages?

From a young age, children were expected to help out at home with tasks suited to their age and development. They could care for animals and siblings, fetch and carry, cook, and even help out in the family business.

What was the main meal in medieval times?

vegetable pottage
The main meal was vegetable pottage. There might be some meat or fish to go round. Bread would be available and ale. For Medieval recipes to try, check out this website.

What did the poor eat in medieval times?

Everyday food for the poor in the Middle Ages consisted of cabbage, beans, eggs, oats and brown bread. Sometimes, as a specialty, they would have cheese, bacon or poultry. All classes commonly drank ale or beer. Milk was also available, but usually reserved for younger people.

What were medieval houses made of?

Medieval houses had a timber frame. Panels that did not carry loads were filled with wattle and daub. Wattle was made by weaving twigs in and out of uprights. Hazel twigs were the most popular with Medieval builders.

What were families like in the Middle Ages?

The way people thought about each other in the Middle Ages, everyone was involved in complicated systems of relationships with each other. The first relationships people had were with their own families. In medieval European families, most kids lived with their father and mother and brothers and sisters.

How did medieval people clean teeth?

How did medieval people brush their teeth? They would rub their teeth and gums with a rough linen. Recipes have been discovered for pastes and powders they might have applied to the cloth to clean and whiten teeth, as well as to freshen breath.