10 Myths About the Middle Ages Most People Still Believe

The Middle Ages are often pictured as a time of knights in shining armor, damsels in distress, and a whole lot of disease. Many tales about medieval Europe are, quite simply, myths that have twisted the truth.

These tall tales, while intriguing, paint a false picture of what life was really like back then. To get to the heart of what the Middle Ages were truly about, it's time to set the record straight.

Biggest Misconceptions

Earth was flat
Knights ate rotten meat
Chastity belts were common
Childhood didn't exist

1. Vikings Wore Horned Helmets

Many think Vikings wore horned helmets. Historians point out this is just a myth. Vikings did wear helmets in battle, but they didn't have horns. The idea of horned helmets became popular in the 19th century.

Carl Emil Doepler, a costume designer, created horned helmets for a Viking opera in the 1870s. This added to the myth. Modern depictions still use horned helmets, even though it's inaccurate.

Here's why the myth stuck:

Costumes: 19th-century operas had horned helmets.
Artist depictions: Artists liked the dramatic look.
Pop culture: Movies and TV shows featured horned helmets.

In reality, horned helmets would have been impractical in battle. They could get caught on things and make fighting harder. Vikings chose practical gear, like simple helmets and chainmail, to stay safe.

Despite the myth, real Viking helmets were likely made of metal, like iron, and had nose guards. These provided better protection.

So, next time someone shares an image of a Viking in a horned helmet, you can chuckle and share the real story. Vikings were fierce, but they didn’t need horns to show it.

2. Peasants Were Always Filthy

It's a common belief that medieval peasants were constantly covered in grime. That's not entirely true.

They did not have modern plumbing, but they did make efforts to stay clean. Peasants bathed in rivers and streams. Also, many villages had communal bathhouses.

People washed their clothes regularly. They used homemade soap and scrubbed garments in nearby water sources.

While their standards of cleanliness were different from ours today, they adapted to their environment. Dirt and dust were part of daily life, but peasants weren't walking mudballs.

Misconceptions:

No Baths: They bathed in rivers and used communal facilities.
Dirty Clothes: They washed clothes with handmade soap.
Permanent Grime: They cleaned up as much as they could with what was available.

Medieval folks valued cleanliness. Their methods weren't luxurious, but they did their best with what they had. The idea that peasants were always dirty is more myth than fact.

3. Knights Were Noble And Chivalrous

People often think of medieval knights as noble and chivalrous, like heroes from fairy tales. Yet, this image is much more myth than reality.

Knights were basically medieval tanks on legs. They were elite warriors, but not always perfect gentlemen. Sure, there was a chivalric code, but not every knight took it seriously.

Popular myths:

Knights were always honorable.
They protected the weak.
They were kind to women.

The chivalric code included ideals like bravery, loyalty, and respect. But it wasn't a strict set of rules — more like guidelines. Not all knights behaved well. Some abused their power.

In stories, knights are romanticized, shown as flawless heroes. Real life was different. Many knights were just as rough and self-serving as the next guy.

So, while the idea of a noble, chivalrous knight is charming, it’s mostly fiction. Real knights had their valorous moments but were also flawed humans.

4. The Earth Was Flat

Many people think medieval folks believed the Earth was flat. This is a big misconception.

Medieval scholars knew the Earth was round. They had texts from ancient Greeks like Aristotle and Ptolemy to back this up. Sailors navigated by the stars, too, which wouldn’t work if they thought the Earth was flat.

This myth might have stuck around because people wanted to paint the Middle Ages as a time of ignorance. They thought medieval beliefs were primitive compared to modern knowledge.

Misconception: People in medieval times thought the Earth was flat.
Reality: Medieval scholars and educated people knew the Earth was round.
Source: Ancient Greek texts and navigation practices supported this knowledge.

So, the next time someone says medieval folks thought the Earth was flat, you can set them straight!

5. Medicine Was Barbaric And Ineffective

Medieval medicine seems like it came straight out of a horror movie. Bleeding patients to balance their humors? Yep, that was a thing. They believed the body was made up of four fluids: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile.

Doctors often relied on superstition. Think chanting spells and using leeches. Imagine having a headache and getting a hole drilled in your skull. That's trepanning for you. Ouch!

Here are some wild misconceptions they believed:

Humorism: Keeping four fluids in balance was key to health.
Sympathetic Magic: Using objects that symbolized illnesses in hopes of cure.
Zodiacal Man: Star signs determined treatments.

Surgeries were pretty gruesome too. Sometimes, barber-surgeons (yes, your barber) doubled as doctors. And cleanliness wasn't on top of their list, leading to infections galore. No wonder survival rates were low.

Even though they were trying their best, many treatments were more harmful than helpful. Entirely barbaric by today's standards, but people back then believed it was their best shot at staying healthy.

6. Everyone Was Deeply Religious

Many people think that everyone in the Middle Ages was deeply religious. This simply wasn't true.

Some people were very devout. They went to church, prayed a lot, and tried to live holy lives. Knights would often fight in the name of their faith, and monks dedicated their lives to God.

Still, not everyone was like this. Some people only went to church because it was expected. They didn't always follow all the rules. Others followed different beliefs or had no strong religious inclination.

Misconception: All medieval people were super religious.
Reality: Many were, but plenty were casual about their faith.
Surprise: Some even held different or no religious beliefs at all.

In the cities, there was more freedom to question and explore different ideas. People in rural areas often followed traditions more strictly. Religion was part of their lives, but not always the central focus.

7. Women Had No Rights

Contrary to popular belief, women in the Middle Ages did have some rights and roles beyond being homemakers.

Women could own property and run businesses. Noblewomen managed estates and peasants. This was not true everywhere, but it happened more often than you might think.

Here are some myths:

Myth: Women couldn't own land.
Truth: Many widows inherited and controlled land.
Myth: Women were always under male guardianship.
Truth: Widows and some single women had legal independence.

Medieval women also participated in trades and crafts. They worked as artisans, bakers, and even blacksmiths. You could find women working in markets, just like men.

The church might have had mixed feelings about women, but some women gained religious power. There were abbesses who led convents and influenced religious communities.

Sure, it was not perfect. Many women had limited rights. But their situations varied by region, class, and time period.

So, while they faced restrictions, medieval women were not entirely powerless or voiceless. They found ways to navigate and sometimes thrive within the system.

8. The Dark Ages Were Uncivilized

People often think the Dark Ages were a time of total chaos and backwardness. This is far from the truth.

Many believe that after the fall of Rome, Europe plunged into complete disorder. This is what you hear:

No cultural development
Everyone was uneducated
Nothing good happened

Reality check: Many important events and changes took place during this period.

Universities started to pop up, like the University of Bologna. Towns and cities were established. Trade routes expanded dramatically.

Cathedrals and castles were built. These structures show craftsmanship and detailed planning, definitely not the work of an uncivilized society.

Art and literature thrived. Look at the stunning illuminated manuscripts created by monks. Music advanced significantly, laying foundations for Western classical music.

Scientists made headway too. Think of scholars like Alcuin of York.

9. Castles Were Dreary And Cold

Many think medieval castles were dark, gloomy, and cold. This idea comes from movies and books. In reality, castles were more than just stone fortresses.

Castles had big fireplaces to keep everyone warm. Thick walls helped too. They kept out the cold and heat.

Bright tapestries hung on the walls. They added color and helped insulate rooms.

Windows were small to keep out the cold wind. Curtains added another layer of warmth and privacy.

Fireplaces: Large and centrally located to heat rooms.
Thick Walls: Kept out both cold and heat.
Tapestries: Added color and insulation.
Small Windows: Reduced cold drafts.
Curtains: Added warmth and privacy.

Castles often had glass windows, though expensive. Only the wealthiest could afford them. Glass helped brighten rooms.

People also had other ways to stay warm. Thick cloaks, woolen clothes, and fur-lined garments were common.

Feasts and gatherings created a lively atmosphere. Grand halls filled with people, music, and laughter. Castles were more lively than dreary.

So, while castles weren't always cozy, they were far from the bleak images we see today.

10. People Only Drank Ale And Wine

Many believe medieval folks shunned water, favoring ale and wine instead. It's a fun image but isn't the full story.

While they did enjoy their ale and wine, they didn't avoid water. Clean water was often available, especially in towns near clean rivers or wells.

Medieval records tell us that people drank water alongside their favorite alcoholic beverages. Here are some myths debunked:

Myth: Water was unsafe everywhere.
Fact: Clean water sources were common in many places.
Myth: Only adults drank alcohol.
Fact: Children sometimes drank diluted wine or ale, but also drank water.

People liked beer and wine, not because water was undrinkable, but because they enjoyed it (and it was safer in some areas).

In northern Europe, beer was popular. Down south? It was all about the wine. Wine was more common in regions like France and Italy.

Monasteries were known for brewing beer and making wine. Sometimes, their brews were safer than local water.

Summing up: Medieval folk drank more than ale and wine. Clean water was part of their lives too.