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HISTORICAL REFERENCE(S): What they did and did not have in this era.
POPULATION - Estimated population of the entire area of the British Isles around 1000AD was 2 or 3 million (pretty sparce). In the 1200s, northern Europe's largest towns--London, Paris and Ghent--contained no more than 30,000 or 40,000 residents. Southern European cities like Venice and Florence had over 100,000. The world's largest cities--Constantinople and Baghdad--each had about a million people.
No glass mirrors. Reflective glass is reported earliest around 1300AD. Til then, had to view reflection in pools of water or on highly polished metal. Specially designed bowls (metal or ceramic) were also available with dark interiors so that when filled with water would reflect a person's image.
These were sometimes used by seers, as well, much like a crystal ball. Bad
news if the bowl happened to break while someone was looking into it. This
suggested to the superstitious that the person's life would end abruptly and
soon.
The Earth was still flat ;)
Paper was very rare. Parchment used mostly by the upper class. Most of the population was illiterate anyway. There were books, few available to the
general populace due to price. A great many books at the time were religious
and highly illustrated.
Forks - rare but not unheard of, more common was the use of spoons, knives and handled bowls, if any utensils at all
Soap - (boiled animal fat or renderings mixed with natural soda, possibly scented with dried herbs or essential oils) came into use in the 9th Century but it was in a soft or liquid form (like soft soap today) until the 12th Century, so we would likely be describing a pot of
soap for a bath
Indoor toilets were fairly common in large estates around 1500, but I think we covered that one. There is historical proof that, even prior to 1500, a tank system from upper floors was used to supply water below, whether allowed to be filled by rainwater or replenished by servants from another source. Lead pipe sewer drainage was also in use. There is also the ever presence of chamber pots, which I would like to ignore. (My grandmother had only an outhouse and chamberpots for use at night... til I was out of highschool. When I got my driver's license, my cousin and I used to drive to my other grandmother's house to use the modern plumbing.) Other than a bath scene or such, I don't imagine we'll have need of too much detail on this part of medieval life. Ok, maybe a hebush run or something. hehe
Europeans established the world's first universities in the 1100s.
admiral - not in use til 13th century
ramparts - earth mound around castle walls and parapets or towers
almoner - responsible for offerings to the poor, often made gifts of cloth, tallow and leftovers as well as coin
Just in case we wanted to know:
1066 Normans invade Britain; William the Conqueror (Duke of Normandy) wins the battle of Hastings and is crowned in Westminster Abbey (1066-87)
1078 Construction of the Tower of London begins. It was a prison (still used during the World War II and a Royal Palace until the time of James I (1603-25).
1087 William II reigns until 1100.
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