Unsettling Facts About Medieval Beliefs

"'Those darling byegone times, Mr Carker,' said Cleopatra, 'with their delicious fortresses, and their dear old dungeons, and their delightful places of mistreatment , and their romantic vengeances, and their picturesque assaults and sieges, and everything that makes life truly charming! How dreadfully we have degenerated!'" —Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son

How do we know what we know? It depends on the time and place. In the medieval times (generally cited as the years between the 5th and late 15th century), people had their own distinct beliefs about medicine, history, and magic.

What passed for medieval “common sense” might not pass today’s standards for proof, or, um, medical sanitation.

From bright ideas about the occult and Bibles co-produced by Satan, to household cures involving hot pokers and animal enemas, the beliefs of the medieval public reflected the gritty times in which people lived (and perished).

Prepare for one wild ride into the past with these 42 unsettling facts about medieval beliefs.


1. Sensual Care

In the 16th century, mercury was a common treatment for syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases. Just apply directly to the nose or mouth or, if you’re feeling trendy, do the “fumigation”

method and simply vaporize the substance in a neat, air-freshening steam. Side effects include loose teeth and ulcers of the gum. Rather unsexy.

medieval beliefs

2. Man-Made Miracles

Cannibalism wasn’t always a taboo. Medieval doctors kept their patients in check with drinkabe byproducts of human blood and flesh. “Mummy powder” was a commonplace fixture of 12th century apothecaries, and these practices even had a name: "

body medicine". Well into the 17th century, even English kings like Charles II dined to a healthy regime of what he called “King’s Drops,” aka booze mixed with crushed human skulls. Salty!

Charles II Of England Facts

Wikimedia Commons

3. Bad Math

Superstitious bias towards the number “13” really took off in the medieval period. Aversion to the number arose from the fact that there were 13 apostles (including Jesus) at the Last Supper.

Even in the 16th century, having 13 people together could signal you were a witch. Good thing I don't have that many friends.

Medieval Beliefs facts

Wikipedia

4. The Big Sneeze

Blame the medieval times for why you sometimes say, “Bless you!” when someone sneezes. The general assumption has been the “blesser”

was sending their good will to the sneezer, whose soul had just been ejected from the body via nasal expulsion.

Other people note this practice emerged in the time of the Plague—when your last sneeze might well be your last ever, so get those blessings in now!

Worst Co-Workers facts

Flickr, Tina Franklin