Time Travel to the Bizarre: 5 Medieval Customs That Will Leave You Speechless

Exploring the Oddities of Medieval Times, this list delves into some of the most obscure medieval practices and their origins. From bizarre beauty rituals to quirky customs, the Middle Ages were rife with strange and fascinating traditions that can seem utterly bewildering to our modern sensibilities.

The medieval period, often romanticized in literature and movies, was a time of knights, castles, and chivalry. Yet, beyond the valiant tales and grand feasts lay a world teeming with peculiar practices. These customs, deeply rooted in the culture of the time, offer a unique glimpse into the lives and beliefs of people from centuries past. So, grab your virtual time machine, and let’s trip back to uncover some of these extraordinary traditions.

Ready to dive into the list? Let’s get started!

Highlights

• Discover the origins of some truly bizarre medieval practices
• Learn how these customs shaped the lives of people in the Middle Ages
• Get a glimpse into the quirky side of history that often goes unnoticed

The Bizarre art of Trepanation

One of the most shocking medical practices from the medieval period was trepanation. This involved drilling a hole into a person’s skull to treat various ailments. The origins of trepanation date back to ancient times, but it continued into the Middle Ages as a common remedy for conditions like epilepsy, migraines, and mental disorders.

The belief was that by creating an opening in the skull, evil spirits causing the illness could be released. While it sounds gruesome, archaeological evidence suggests that many patients survived the procedure, as seen by the healed bone around the trepanation site. In a time before modern medicine, this practice was a desperate measure that sometimes produced positive results.

Interestingly, trepanation wasn’t only for the unwell. Some warriors underwent the procedure to enhance their spiritual or intellectual abilities, believing it would bring them closer to the divine. Today, trepanation is considered a pseudoscience, but its historical significance remains a proof to humanity’s enduring quest for healing and knowledge.

• Up to 80% of trepanned skulls show signs of healing, indicating survival
• Trepanation has been practiced for over 7,000 years
• In medieval Europe, it was often performed by barber-surgeons

The Peculiar Practice of Bloodletting

Bloodletting was a common medical treatment during the Middle Ages, believed to cure a variety of illnesses by balancing the body’s humors. The practice involved withdrawing blood from a patient, either through cutting or using leeches. This method was based on the ancient Greek theory of humorism, which posited that health depended on the balance of four bodily fluids: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile.

Medieval physicians, often guided by the works of Galen and Hippocrates, used bloodletting to treat everything from fevers to mental illness. They believed that removing “excess” blood would restore harmony within the body. While we now know that bloodletting was largely ineffective and sometimes harmful, it remained a cornerstone of medieval medicine for centuries.

Interestingly, certain days of the month and specific phases of the moon were considered more auspicious for bloodletting, reflecting the deeply ingrained superstitions of the time. Today, while the practice is obsolete, it serves as a fascinating example of how medical science has evolved over the centuries.

• Bloodletting was practiced for over 2,000 years
• Leeches were commonly used, with their use persisting into the 19th century
• Medieval barbers often performed bloodletting, hence the red and white barber pole symbol

The Strange Custom of Trial by Ordeal

Medieval justice could be as strange as it was brutal, with one of the most curious practices being trial by ordeal. This method was used to determine a person’s guilt or innocence through dangerous and often painful tests. The belief was that divine intervention would protect the innocent and reveal the guilty.

There were several types of ordeals, including the ordeal by fire, where the accused had to hold a red-hot iron or walk across burning coals. Another variant, the ordeal by water, involved throwing the accused into a body of water. If they floated, they were deemed guilty; if they sank, they were considered innocent (though they often drowned in the process).

Trial by ordeal reflects the medieval reliance on supernatural judgment and the limited understanding of forensic evidence. It was eventually phased out as legal systems became more sophisticated, but it remains a stark reminder of the harsh realities of medieval justice.

• Trial by ordeal was officially abolished in England in 1215
• Ordeal by fire often resulted in severe injuries or death
• The practice was rooted in the belief in divine judgment

The Unusual Habit of Animal Trials

In the Middle Ages, it wasn’t just humans who faced trial; animals were also brought to court and judged for their “crimes.” This practice, known as animal trials, was surprisingly common. Animals, particularly pigs, were often accused of causing harm or even death to humans and were subjected to legal proceedings similar to those for human defendants.

These trials included the appointment of defense lawyers for the animals, and the proceedings were taken quite seriously. The accused animals could be sentenced to death if found guilty, reflecting the medieval belief in the moral agency of animals. While it might seem absurd today, these trials were based on the idea that animals, like humans, could be held accountable for their actions.

Animal trials provide a fascinating glimpse into the medieval worldview, where the lines between human and animal behavior were blurred. They also emphasize the period’s unique approach to justice and morality, which often appears bewildering to modern eyes.

• The last recorded animal trial took place in 1740
• Pigs were the most commonly tried animals
• Some animals were given legal representation in court

The Curious Case of Sumptuary Laws

Medieval Europe was a time of rigid social hierarchies, and one of the ways this was enforced was through sumptuary laws. These laws regulated what people could wear, based on their social status. The aim was to maintain clear distinctions between the different classes and prevent the lower classes from imitating the nobility.

Sumptuary laws dictated everything from the types of fabrics and colors that could be worn to the size of one’s hat. For example, only royalty could wear purple, a color made from expensive dyes. These laws were not just about fashion but were a means of reinforcing social order and hierarchy.

While the enforcement of sumptuary laws varied, they were a significant aspect of medieval life. Violating these laws could result in fines or other penalties. Today, they serve as a reminder of the strict social codes that once governed every aspect of life in the Middle Ages.

• Sumptuary laws were first introduced in England in 1363
• Purple dye was made from sea snails and was extremely expensive
• Violations of sumptuary laws could result in severe penalties

The Middle Ages were a time of great complexity, where the lines between the natural and supernatural, the scientific and the superstitious, often blurred. These obscure practices, while strange to us today, were an integral part of medieval life, reflecting the values, beliefs, and knowledge of the time. They remind us of the enduring human quest to understand and control the world, a quest that continues to shape our lives in ways both deep and peculiar.

As we look back on these oddities, we gain not just a deeper understanding of the past but also a greater appreciation for the advancements we’ve made. History, with all its quirks and mysteries, is a proof to the ever-evolving human spirit.

References

1. History.com – The Middle Ages
2. Medievalists.net
3. Encyclopedia Britannica – Middle Ages
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