Myths About the Middle Ages

A 19th-century biography of Christopher Columbus claimed that medieval Europeans believed that the Earth was flat.

The concept of the "Middle Ages" refers to a 1,000-year period, starting from the fall of Rome in the 5th century and ending with the Italian Renaissance in the 15th century.

Medieval Europeans used spices to cover the taste of rotten meat.

Medieval people did not bathe.

The Iron Maiden existed in medieval times.

Medieval torture devices are more recent inventions than people commonly believe.

Chastity belts were commonly used in medieval Europe.

Knights played a significant role in medieval warfare.

What are some common misconceptions about the Middle Ages? (Select all that apply.)

What is the term commonly used to describe the Middle Ages?

What was the main reason for the misconception that medieval people ate rotten meat?

What were some common methods used by medieval Europeans to preserve meats?

What were some of the forms of punishment used in medieval times?

What is the origin of the "Iron Maiden" torture device?

What type of events influenced the understanding of the Middle Ages in the 19th century?

Myths About the Middle Ages

The period known as the Middle Ages lasted from the 5th to the 15th centuries, specifically in Europe, following the fall of Rome and preceding the Renaissance.
Common misconceptions portray medieval people as ignorant, uneducated, and unhygienic, with a focus on superstition and violence.

Ignorant, Uneducated People

The idea that medieval people were ignorant and uneducated is inaccurate.
Medieval scholars didn't believe the Earth was flat.
Literacy rates gradually increased during the Middle Ages.
Monasteries, convents, and universities played a role in preserving and disseminating knowledge.
Ancient Greek and Roman texts were studied.

Eating Rotten Meat

The misconception that medieval people regularly ate rotten meat and used spices to mask the taste is inaccurate.
Medieval Europeans had methods of preserving meat, like salting.
Spices were sometimes expensive, but not uncommon.

Unclean, Dirty, Filthy

The 19th-century view of the Middle Ages as a time without bathing is inaccurate.
Public bathhouses existed in medieval towns.
Personal hygiene practices, like using soaps and herbs, were common.

Torture Devices

The depiction of medieval torture devices as common is inaccurate.
Many devices, like the Iron Maiden and the Pear of Anguish, are fabricated or misrepresented later by collectors.
Medieval legal practices included fines, imprisonment, and corporal punishment, but extreme violence as pictured was often reserved for specific crimes like high treason.

Chastity Belts

Medieval chastity belts were probably not widely used as portrayed.
They were mentioned in the 15th century but likely as jokes or satire.

Chivalrous Knights

The idea that knights were heroic figures in medieval warfare, and that medieval European society was isolated is wrong.
Medieval warfare had minimal knight participation.
Interactions were extensive with Byzantine, Muslim, and Mongol groups.
Medieval Europeans traded, exchanged ideas, and interacted with people from other societies.

Test your knowledge about the Middle Ages and debunk common misconceptions regarding medieval people's education, hygiene, and dietary practices. Explore how scholars and universities contributed to the preservation of knowledge and how food preservation techniques were widely used. Challenge the stereotypes and learn the truth about this fascinating historical period.