Everyday Life in Medieval London by Toni Mount

Dates that were important to medieval people but no longer have much meaning included Martinmas the week starting November 11th, when animals were slaughtered for food in the coming winter months. Mount, Everyday Life in Medieval LondonĪnother interesting aspect to this book was that alongside events and curious facts, readers learn about the cycles of the medieval year. Mattresses could be stuffed with feathers, horsehair, sheep’s wool or rags, with lavender, fleabane or some other bug-repellent herb included between the mattress and the woven mat prevented the mattress from bulging down between the ropes.” ~ T. ‘Sleep tight” refers to the ropes beneath the mattress that were strung through the bed frame – they had to be tightened to stop the mattress from sagging. “The ditty: ‘Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite’ dates from medieval times. Mount recounts the story behind the creation of one of England’s most prestigious titles: The Prince of Wales (February 7, 1301), and other general interest stories, such as May 11th, where she tells us how medieval people slept: Making a medieval bed (unknown) Or the death of John of Gaunt on February 3rd, and the legend that he killed the last wild boar in England. Some of my favourites include the origin of the term “spinster” arising from St. The book is peppered with fascinating tidbits like this. Dawson, A Leechbook of the Fifteenth Century. In September, all fruits that is ripe is good to eat, and blood is good to let (phlebotomy).For those who letteth him blood on the 17th day for the dropsy, neither the frenzy (insanity) or the falling evil (epilepsy), that year shall he have” ~ W.R. “According to a fifteenth century medical text, here are the instructions for keeping healthy this month:

Everyday Life in Medieval London by Toni Mount