Last week I introduced you to Anna Belfrage and her latest book set in the world of Edward II - UNDER THE APPROACHING DARK. (Click HERE to go to the post)
I have invited Anna back this week to talk a little bit more about the research behind her fabulous books, because all historical writers have a wealth of knowledge that may only make it into the story as a passing mention. I enjoyed seeing how Anna used it in her book.
Anna has chosen to share some interesting, and little known facts, about the medieval monarchs' predilection (or not) for the occasional bath...
I have invited Anna back this week to talk a little bit more about the research behind her fabulous books, because all historical writers have a wealth of knowledge that may only make it into the story as a passing mention. I enjoyed seeing how Anna used it in her book.
Anna has chosen to share some interesting, and little known facts, about the medieval monarchs' predilection (or not) for the occasional bath...
A Good Medieval Wallow...
It is strange how some myths become so cemented in the popular imagination they take on the character of truths. Mind you, in this day of alternative facts, such things are no longer surprising—they are merely irritating. When it comes to life in medieval times, there is this preconception that people never washed—one purportedly serious site about life in castles even goes so far as to state that “until Victorian times cleanliness was considered ungodly”. Hmm. As I researched my latest book, I encountered multiple indications this is wrong. Very wrong, even.
It has always been my firm opinion that most people—throughout the ages—have preferred being clean to being dirty. In many of the preceding periods, being clean was also an indication of wealth as it required a not inconsiderable amount of servants and firewood to prepare a nice hot bath in medieval times. But even those who could not afford a bath, or to change their clothes regularly, did wash face, hands and privates.
Those who could afford it, went all out on cleanliness. Medieval banquets often started by the guests being offered basins of clean water in which to wash their hands. Medieval ladies and lords changed their linen frequently, and they most definitely bathed. King John is supposed to have taken a bath every two weeks, and clearly his descendants shared his fondness for lounging in hot water while someone scrubbed their backs. How else to explain the fact that Edward II had his bathrooms tiled and then complained the floors were too cold so he ordered bathroom mats to increase his comfort? Or that in 1351 Edward III ordered hot and cold water taps for his recently refurbished bathroom? I’m telling you, those medieval magnates liked a good wallow—and smelling of roses afterwards!
It has always been my firm opinion that most people—throughout the ages—have preferred being clean to being dirty. In many of the preceding periods, being clean was also an indication of wealth as it required a not inconsiderable amount of servants and firewood to prepare a nice hot bath in medieval times. But even those who could not afford a bath, or to change their clothes regularly, did wash face, hands and privates.
Those who could afford it, went all out on cleanliness. Medieval banquets often started by the guests being offered basins of clean water in which to wash their hands. Medieval ladies and lords changed their linen frequently, and they most definitely bathed. King John is supposed to have taken a bath every two weeks, and clearly his descendants shared his fondness for lounging in hot water while someone scrubbed their backs. How else to explain the fact that Edward II had his bathrooms tiled and then complained the floors were too cold so he ordered bathroom mats to increase his comfort? Or that in 1351 Edward III ordered hot and cold water taps for his recently refurbished bathroom? I’m telling you, those medieval magnates liked a good wallow—and smelling of roses afterwards!
About UNDER THE APPROACHING DARK
Adam de Guirande has cause to believe the turbulent times are behind him: Hugh Despenser is dead and Edward II has been forced to abdicate in favour of his young son. It is time to look forward, to a bright new world in which the young king, guided by his council, heals his kingdom and restores its greatness. But the turmoil is far from over… After years of strife, England in the early months of 1327 is a country in need of stability, and many turn with hope towards the new young king, Edward III. But Edward is too young to rule, so instead it is his mother, Queen Isabella, and her lover, Roger Mortimer, who do the actual governing, much to the dislike of barons such as Henry of Lancaster. In the north, the Scots take advantage of the weakened state of the realm and raid with impunity. Closer to court, it is Mortimer’s increasing powers that cause concerns – both among his enemies, but also for men like Adam, who loves Mortimer dearly, but loves the young king just as much. When it is announced that Edward II has died in September of 1327, what has so far been a grumble grows into voluble protests against Mortimer. Yet again, the spectre of rebellion haunts the land, and things are further complicated by the reappearance of one of Adam’s personal enemies. Soon enough, he and his beloved wife Kit are fighting for their survival – even more so when Adam is given a task that puts them both in the gravest of dangers. Under the Approaching Dark is the third in Anna Belfrage’s series, The King’s Greatest Enemy, the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his king, and his wife.
Read an excerpt...
It was well after nightfall before Kit could claim her husband for herself. Once Meg had been properly greeted, once he’d held both Ned and Harry, he’d done the rounds in the household, spent hours with William reviewing the state of his property, and had then presided over dinner, a loud affair in the main hall that had only ended when the afternoon seeped into dusk.
William had insisted they all attend chapel, but when he suggested that Adam and he repair yet again to review the accounts, Kit put her foot down.
“Not tonight.” She held out her hand to Adam. “I have a bath prepared for you.” Besides, she wanted to do a thorough inspection, disconcerted by the new scars on his face.
Stephen added the last of the hot water to the tub just as they entered the solar. Steam rose in wisps, filling the room with the scents of lavender and roses. Kit shooed the page out, closed and barred the door, and turned to look at her husband, already disrobing in front of the hearth. She moved towards him, couldn’t resist the urge to touch him, to splay her fingers wide as she set her hands to his chest, just over his heart. Beneath her palm, she felt his heartbeat, above her fingers was a new scar, pink and hairless.
“What’s this?”
“A lance.” He sounded offhand, undoing his braies.
“A lance?”
Adam sighed. “I was jousting against Lord Roger.” She listened in silence as he told her about the steel-tipped lance and how he was convinced the intention had been to kill Lord Roger.
“Kill him? By your hand?” She slid an arm up to his shoulder, followed the contours of his muscled arm downwards. “And this?” She set her other hand to his face, tracing the scar along his nose, the other below his ear.
“Same incident.” He hooked a finger into her neckline. “Aren’t you joining me?”
“It’s the small tub.”
“We will fit, sweeting.” Deft hands on her laces, and soon enough they were in the tub, she enfolded in his arms and legs. His hands slid up to cup her breasts. “William said it was a difficult birth.”
“It was.” Kit’s stomach tightened in recollection. She craned her head back to look at him. “But it was worth it.” This her third son was an easy child, eating like a horse at regular intervals, in between which he either slept or regarded the world around him with wide-open eyes—grey eyes.
“A beautiful son.” He kissed the top of her head. “Thank you.”
William had insisted they all attend chapel, but when he suggested that Adam and he repair yet again to review the accounts, Kit put her foot down.
“Not tonight.” She held out her hand to Adam. “I have a bath prepared for you.” Besides, she wanted to do a thorough inspection, disconcerted by the new scars on his face.
Stephen added the last of the hot water to the tub just as they entered the solar. Steam rose in wisps, filling the room with the scents of lavender and roses. Kit shooed the page out, closed and barred the door, and turned to look at her husband, already disrobing in front of the hearth. She moved towards him, couldn’t resist the urge to touch him, to splay her fingers wide as she set her hands to his chest, just over his heart. Beneath her palm, she felt his heartbeat, above her fingers was a new scar, pink and hairless.
“What’s this?”
“A lance.” He sounded offhand, undoing his braies.
“A lance?”
Adam sighed. “I was jousting against Lord Roger.” She listened in silence as he told her about the steel-tipped lance and how he was convinced the intention had been to kill Lord Roger.
“Kill him? By your hand?” She slid an arm up to his shoulder, followed the contours of his muscled arm downwards. “And this?” She set her other hand to his face, tracing the scar along his nose, the other below his ear.
“Same incident.” He hooked a finger into her neckline. “Aren’t you joining me?”
“It’s the small tub.”
“We will fit, sweeting.” Deft hands on her laces, and soon enough they were in the tub, she enfolded in his arms and legs. His hands slid up to cup her breasts. “William said it was a difficult birth.”
“It was.” Kit’s stomach tightened in recollection. She craned her head back to look at him. “But it was worth it.” This her third son was an easy child, eating like a horse at regular intervals, in between which he either slept or regarded the world around him with wide-open eyes—grey eyes.
“A beautiful son.” He kissed the top of her head. “Thank you.”
IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO ENTER ANNA'S CONTEST TO WIN A COPY OF UNDER THE APPROACHING DARK... click the button below and scroll to the end of the post!
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