Myths about the Middle Ages

A period in European history spanning from the 5th to the 15th centuries, marked by the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of new kingdoms and institutions.

The misconception that people in the Middle Ages were ignorant and uneducated. This belief is incorrect, as literacy rates gradually increased and universities were established.

The widespread misconception that medieval people consumed rotten meat and relied heavily on spices to mask its taste.

The false idea that medieval people were unhygienic and avoided bathing. This is not true, as public bathhouses were common in many medieval communities.

A popular 13th-century text that refuted the misconception that medieval people believed the Earth was flat. The text's title directly addresses the Earth's spherical shape.

The 19th-century historian who popularized the misconception that medieval people lived in unsanitary conditions and rarely bathed.

Methods used in medieval times to preserve meat, such as salting, smoking, and drying, to prevent spoilage and extend its shelf life.

Methods used in medieval times to make soap, using natural ingredients like animal fat, ash, and scented herbs.

A device allegedly used for torture in the Middle Ages, consisting of a spiked cage that supposedly trapped its victim. However, it has been proven to be a later fabrication, likely created in the 19th century.

A device said to be a medieval torture instrument, but actually a more recent invention possibly used to stretch shoes.

A period of European history that began in the 15th century and spanned through the 16th century. This era saw a surge in academic interest in the Classical and Modern periods, leading to a bias against the Middle Ages and its portrayal as 'dark' and 'primitive'.

An intellectual movement that emphasized logic and reason, often contrasting with superstition and tradition. This movement's proponents viewed medieval society as irrational and lacking in scientific progress, leading to a negative perception of the Middle Ages.

A romanticized view of the Middle Ages, often emphasizing chivalry, honor, and religious faith. It was popularized in the 19th century by European nationalists who idealized the period and its perceived purity. This view often contradicts the reality of medieval life and its complexities.

A societal grouping of people who are united through a shared sense of cultural identity, often based on ethnic, linguistic, or religious factors. It is important to remember that medieval society was not a homogenous entity and contained diverse groups and individuals.

The exchange of ideas, goods, and people across different regions. In the Middle Ages, Europe was not isolated and experienced significant interactions with the Byzantine Empire, the Islamic World, and Mongol societies.