The Middle Ages – we all have a certain image in mind when this term pops up.
From romantic and enlightened to violent and gloomy.
Unless you are a historian, this image is largely determined by Hollywood, historical novels and medieval documentaries such as Terra X.
It was no different for me for a long time.
As a well-read, educated citizen, I am of the opinion that I can have my say.
As a result of my research into the “Kiel 1242” project and alternative contributions on the subject of the Middle Ages – such as the video blog Geschichtsfenster – I have had to revise most of it and completely redefine my concept of the Middle Ages.
The dirty Middle Ages
An image that is often used as evidence of the dirty and smelly Middle Ages.
A naked woman pours the contents of her chamber pot out of the window onto the street – or so it seems.
A similar scene is also shown in the series Terra X: A Day in the Middle Ages .
Let’s take a look at the whole picture – it comes from the Ship of Fools by Sebastian Brant (Brant, 1494).
Here is an excerpt from the text accompanying the picture:
Now the fool’s dance would be over,
But not quite the game yet,
If not here, the spoons would also be here
[1]
The street tramplers and the scoundrels,
[2]
Who can’t rest in the night,
If they don’t run into the alley
And make noises in front of the door,
If not the girl look for it.
Nothing else from the street brings them,
Until they are forced with chamber lye[3]
Or throws a stone at him.
(Brant, 1494)
[1] Spoon: lover, spooner
[2] Göffel: Gawkers – who only have eyes for the women
[3] Chamber liquor: Urine
This means that the annoying, noisy fools can only be driven away by pouring the contents of a chamber pot over them or throwing a stone at them.
The picture thus describes a special event – something that happens from time to time – and not a permanent structure – something that is everyday and common.
In other words, a fundamental concept of the historical sciences: structure and event (Suter & Hettling, 2001).
The entire picture and the explanatory text describe a man who turns away.
The floor latrine has broken away from under him and full of shame he tries to hide from the gawkers (Decameron, Boccaccio, 1349-1353).
Another example comes from the Decameron and here, too, the choice of detail gives a false impression.
FACT: In the Middle Ages, urine was a raw material that was collected and bought up by tanners and other craftsmen. Just as feces are generally used as fertilizer. In other words, a raw material that served - although not much - as a source of income. We should just keep in mind what garbage was created in the Middle Ages and is simply thrown away. I simply can't think of anything. If there is a time when everything is a resource and is 100% recycled - it is the Middle Ages.
The Dark Middle Ages
“Serfdom, torture, superstition, witch hunts, poverty, ignorance, plague, wars … “
I could extend this list at will.
This is what many of us associate when we hear the term “the dark Middle Ages”.
Scientifically, it also defines the period in the Middle Ages about which we know the least and have few sources (compare Wikipedia or OeAW).
