| England's population was around 4.8 million before the plague |
Population |
| London was the largest city with a population of 40,000 |
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| The next largest cities had populations of 5,000-6,000 |
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| 85% of the medieval population lived in the countryside |
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| Most people were serfs, forced to work the land for their lord |
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| Medieval society had three classes: aristocracy, clergy, and commoners |
Society |
| Women had very few rights in medieval England |
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| Only a small minority of people, mostly monks, could read and write |
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| Medieval workers got about 215 days off a year. Today we get 132 |
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| Farming dominated the lives of most Medieval people |
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| New Year's Day in medieval England was on March 25th |
Measures |
| The length of a medieval hour varied depending on the time of year |
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| An acre, the amount of land 8 oxen can plough in a day, varied |
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| A gallon of ale was larger than a gallon of wine |
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| An old English mile was about 1.3 modern miles long |
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| Medieval men wore "hose" rather than trousers |
Fashion |
| Men wore "braes" beneath their clothes. They were similar to underpants |
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| Married women were expected to keep their hair covered in public |
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| Laws were made to govern the clothes people could wear |
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| Men started wearing codpieces in the 14th Century |
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| 10,000 miles of Roman roads were still in use in medieval England |
Travel |
| There were few bridges in medieval England. Fords were more common |
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| Tolls had to be payed for roads, bridges, ferries, and to enter towns |
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| A traveller could cover 30 miles a day in summer, or 20 in winter |
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| Medieval world maps were not very accurate |
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| Between 1314 and 1667, football was officially banned in England |
Laws |
| Animals were tried for crimes, just like humans |
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| Until 1215 guilt or innocence could be determined by "ordeal" |
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| Peasants needed permission from their lord to get married |
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| Jury trials began in England in the 12th Century |
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| The main food of peasants was a vegetable stew called "pottage" |
Food and Drink |
| Plates (called "trenchers") were made from stale bread |
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| Spices were expensive and only for the rich in medieval society |
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| Sugar was expensive too, so most food was sweetened with honey |
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| Meat was a common food for the rich, but not for the poor |
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| Most people relived themselves in a chamber pot. The rich had privies |
Hygiene |
| There were no sanitary towels. Rags or moss were used instead |
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| Failure to wash your hands before a meal was the height of bad manners |
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| Instead of toothbrushes people used twigs to keep their mouths clean |
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| The nosegay was a medieval form of deodorant |
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| Medieval barbers were also surgeons and dentists |
Medicine |
| Doctors believed illness was caused by the four "humours" |
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| Bloodsucking leeches were a common treatment for illnesses |
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| Another treatment was "trepanning", or cutting a hole in the skull |
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| Wine was used as an antiseptic for wounds |
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| Hunting was the main pastime of the upper classes |
Entertainment |
| Troubadours travelled the country, singing and telling romantic stories |
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| Jongleurs performed conjuring tricks and juggling |
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| Jousts were the highlight of medieval tournaments |
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| People enjoyed a variety of strategy and board games |
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