- Medieval times present a challenging environment for those accustomed to modern conveniences.
- Hygiene and sanitation were drastically different and posed significant health risks.
- The legal system, while present, operated with limited authority and swift, harsh punishments.
- The threat of violence was ever-present due to various factors.
Hygiene and Sanitation #
- Lack of widespread bathing practices and reliance on dry cleaning methods.
- Primitive disposal of human waste leading to unsanitary conditions.
- Animals lived in close proximity to humans, contributing to disease spread.
- Limited access to clean water and widespread use of contaminated water sources.
Legal System #
- Development of a legal system, but local lords often held more power than the king.
- Difficulty in enforcing laws across different regions due to fractured power.
- Trials by ordeal, like holding hot coals or drowning tests, were used to determine guilt or innocence.
- Guilty verdicts often resulted in swift execution or brutal punishments.
Violence and Danger #
- Constant threat of invasion from external forces like Vikings or other kingdoms.
- Conflicts between lords and within kingdoms leading to localized warfare and unrest.
- Religious conflicts and crusades added another layer of violence and instability.
- Lack of strong centralized authority and law enforcement outside of limited areas.
last updated: