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I read that when Europeans first reached the coast of the Americas and were greeted by Native Americans, they almost suffocated from the smell of them. Then the Native Americans started fuming all the Europeans. The Europeans thought they were the ones being honored, but in fact, they just stunk a lot.
But remember life aboard a wooden ship for six or seven weeks, living in close cramped quarters and with very limited changes of clothing and the most primitive of sanitary conditions must have taken their toll.
But remember life aboard a wooden ship for six or seven weeks, living in close cramped quarters and with very limited changes of clothing and the most primitive of sanitary conditions must have taken their toll.
Bathing as regular part of daily hygiene vanished across much if not all of Europe by Middle Ages. Yes, some people did bathe then and certainly well into 1700's, but many did not. Much of it came down to what it always did back then; class, status and wealth. You can toss in religious or other beliefs into that mix as well.
Among royalty and nobility a good number did bathe if not daily at least with some regularity. Anne of Cleves was not one of them (Germans at that time apparently weren't keen on bathing, washing hands was about it). Henry VIII OTOH did bathe, if nothing else to soak an infected and painful leg.
Napoleon wrote to his wife Josephine: “Je reviens en trois jours; ne te laves pas!" ( I return in three days, do not wash". So apparently some were not totally turned off by rank body odor.
Frances IV of France by all accounts smelled like a "smelly feet", chickens, garlic, and generally was strongly rank. When Catherine d' Medici was first present to her betrothed (Frances IV) she fell over from the rank stench. During his reign many of Henry's mistresses and his queen complained about HM's stench. Once in close confines (a carriage) Henry complained about strong perfume one of his mistresses had pretty much bathed herself in; her response was she required something to counter his strong rank B.O.
Bathing as regular part of daily hygiene vanished across much if not all of Europe by Middle Ages. Yes, some people did bathe then and certainly well into 1700's, but many did not. Much of it came down to what it always did back then; class, status and wealth. You can toss in religious or other beliefs into that mix as well.
Among royalty and nobility a good number did bathe if not daily at least with some regularity. Anne of Cleves was not one of them (Germans at that time apparently weren't keen on bathing, washing hands was about it). Henry VIII OTOH did bathe, if nothing else to soak an infected and painful leg.
Napoleon wrote to his wife Josephine: “Je reviens en trois jours; ne te laves pas!" ( I return in three days, do not wash". So apparently some were not totally turned off by rank body odor.
Frances IV of France by all accounts smelled like a "smelly feet", chickens, garlic, and generally was strongly rank. When Catherine d' Medici was first present to her betrothed (Frances IV) she fell over from the rank stench. During his reign many of Henry's mistresses and his queen complained about HM's stench. Once in close confines (a carriage) Henry complained about strong perfume one of his mistresses had pretty much bathed herself in; her response was she required something to counter his strong rank B.O.
I screened that video a few years ago. I think I would rather die than live like that!
Bit about French female royals or nobility basically pi$$ing right where they stood got me.
When took a tour of Versailles guide mentioned that men at least simply found a corner or another spot and did what blokes have done then and since. At least one Frenchman actually whizzed off a balcony onto ground (including people) below.
Persecution of Jewish persons was great during period of "Black Death" across Europe. Hundreds of men, women and children were massacred by Christians who believed Jews "caused" the bubonic plague.
Bubonic plague is caused by bites of fleas from infected rodents (largely rats far as Black Death went), thus highly unlikely laws of Kashrut (keeping Kosher) had much if any effect on rates of infection for Jews.
Very interesting information. But maybe the Jews washed often, that's why they didn't get fleas, or they washed them off before they could be bitten. Or when they washed their hands every time, they were less likely to catch diseases. Maybe they washed their clothes more often and washed their house more often. It's all hygiene. I think this is very plausible and logical.
But remember life aboard a wooden ship for six or seven weeks, living in close cramped quarters and with very limited changes of clothing and the most primitive of sanitary conditions must have taken their toll.
Oral care and hygiene in some form has been around for centuries. What varied is how or if people bothered to at least make an effort. While things available say in 1600's weren't likely no where near effective was what came by 1800's, at least people could try.
Much of things came down to diet. Our ancient cave dwelling ancestors had pretty good teeth on average. But they also ate a "hunters and gatherers" sort of diet.
What began doing Europeans in was arrival of sugar from various colonies in New World. People who could afford sugar or things made from it couldn't get enough. As we know sugar is bad for teeth, especially if one doesn't practice decent or any sort of oral hygiene.
Bad teeth is one reason why you don't see paintings or any other images of people smiling well into 1900's. Empress Josephine (Napoleon's first wife) grew up on a sugar plantation in West Indies. As a young girl and woman Josephine loved chewing on sugarcane stalks, as result of poor (or nil) dental hygiene she had a mouth of jacked, black, horrid teeth.
My grandfather, who was born in 1938, had very good teeth. They were straight and white and didn't hurt. He was only missing one back tooth, which he pulled out himself with forceps. That's what my mother said. He died in his mid-40s. It was acid poisoning. He was a countryman and never lived in a town. He ate food from his garden and drank water from his well.
Very interesting information. But maybe the Jews washed often, that's why they didn't get fleas, or they washed them off before they could be bitten. Or when they washed their hands every time, they were less likely to catch diseases. Maybe they washed their clothes more often and washed their house more often. It's all hygiene. I think this is very plausible and logical.
Yes, Jewish behaviors encourage certain levels of cleanliness. 23 Deuteronomy describes where to put a privy; the cleaning of the house in spring, dietary laws all are part of keeping a kosher home. As late as 1777, the Continental Army was still putting the latrines next to the tents - until von Steuben came and showed them how filthy this was.
Bathing as regular part of daily hygiene vanished across much if not all of Europe by Middle Ages. Yes, some people did bathe then and certainly well into 1700's, but many did not. Much of it came down to what it always did back then; class, status and wealth. You can toss in religious or other beliefs into that mix as well.
Among royalty and nobility a good number did bathe if not daily at least with some regularity. Anne of Cleves was not one of them (Germans at that time apparently weren't keen on bathing, washing hands was about it). Henry VIII OTOH did bathe, if nothing else to soak an infected and painful leg.
Napoleon wrote to his wife Josephine: “Je reviens en trois jours; ne te laves pas!" ( I return in three days, do not wash". So apparently some were not totally turned off by rank body odor.
Frances IV of France by all accounts smelled like a "smelly feet", chickens, garlic, and generally was strongly rank. When Catherine d' Medici was first present to her betrothed (Frances IV) she fell over from the rank stench. During his reign many of Henry's mistresses and his queen complained about HM's stench. Once in close confines (a carriage) Henry complained about strong perfume one of his mistresses had pretty much bathed herself in; her response was she required something to counter his strong rank B.O.
Very interesting and informative Looking at all that it's a wonder even that procreativity took place back then. It probably explains also why Kings and Queens spent a lot of their sleeping hours in separate bedrooms.
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Looking at all that it's a wonder even that procreativity took place back then. It probably explains also why Kings and Queens spent a lot of their sleeping hours in separate bedrooms.
