 The phrase 'pulling your leg' is derived from the practice in the Middle Ages of hanging people in such a manner that the victims usually suffocated slowly and painfully. A relative or friend of the victim would pull the unfortunate person's leg hard to break their neck, thereby faciliating a quicker and easier death. [Source: A wise old woman whom I admired]
Lori from Phoenix, United States (25 September 1999)
The term 'sit around and chew the fat' came from medieval times. Bacon was extremely expensive, and a status symbol to own. When distinguished guests visited, the stock of bacon was brought out and chewed during conversation. [Source: Replica Anne Hathoway cottage tour]
Andy from Spokane, WA USA (12 August 1999) The smallest city in the world is Hum, on a Croatian peninsula of Istria. Nowadays, its population is under 100, but it used to be much bigger, and it was built as a regular medieval city. [Source: Hum City Council]
Dr.Ago from Županja, Croatia (5 August 1999) The knight's warhorse of the Middle Ages had to be capable of carrying up to 900lbs in weight. That included the rider, the rider's armour, his saddle and bridle and the horses own armour [Source: The Horse ]
Susan from Prince George Canada (16 May 1999)
Amend, Discuss, Correct  One punishment for an adulterous wife in medieval France was to make her chase a chicken through town naked. [Source: Bathroom Reader ]
Adrian from US (6 January 1999)
Amend, Discuss, Correct
In 1746, a special hospital for the treatment of venereal diseases known as a 'lock hospital' was opened on Harrow Road in London. In medieval times, lock hospitals only housed lepers. [Source: Bathroom Reader ]
Adrian from US (6 January 1999)
Amend, Discuss, Correct Medieval Jewish mystics practiced rolling in the snow to purge themselves from evil urges. They were the first snow angels. .
Amend, Discuss, Correct The image of the knight in shining armor was largely a myth. Many knights in the crusades proved themselves to be greedy and cruel, and the women of the Middle Ages were as tough and capable as any.
Amend, Discuss, Correct During the Middle Ages, very few people--including the average knight--could read or write. Since the Church played such a large role in medieval life, learning took place in the monasteries, where books were written and the first libraries were kept.
Amend, Discuss, Correct Medieval banquets were spectacular occasions announced with trumpets. The host and chief guests sat at the high table and washed their hands in basins of water scented with rose petals. Lesser guests sat, according to rank, at tables down the hall.
Midwives played a central role in female health and healing during the Middle Ages. Herbs were an important part of their practice. Participating in a rich oral culture, they passed down the secrets of herbal lore from woman to woman over hundreds of years. The cravings of pregnancy were very different for the medieval mother-to-be: unlike the modern yen for pickles and ice cream, she'd seek to have potter's earth or chalk or coals. Yum! Medieval recipe for cure of acne: "the rout of dragons made clean and cut into thin roundels" and steeped for nine days in white wine.
 From the Middle Ages up until the end of the 19th century, barbers performed a number of medical duties including bloodletting, wound treatment, dentistry, minor operations and bone-setting. The barber's striped red pole originates in the Middle Ages, when it was a staff the patient would grip while the barber bled the patient.
Amend, Discuss, Correct Back in medieval times, no one trusted each other. Everyone was a potential enemy. When two people approached they would stick out their hands to each other to show the stranger they were not carrying a weapon. Both strangers were put at ease knowing that they were not about to be killed. This action of outstretched hands grew and evolved to the modern gesture we know as the handshake.
Amend, Discuss, Correct Midwives played a central role in female health and healing during the Middle Ages. Herbs were an important part of their practice. Participating in a rich oral culture, they passed down the secrets of herbal lore from woman to woman over hundreds of years. The cravings of pregnancy were very different for the medieval mother-to-be: unlike the modern yen for pickles and ice cream, she'd seek to have potter's earth or chalk or coals. Yum! Medieval recipe for cure of acne: 'the rout of dragons made clean and cut into thin roundels' and steeped for nine days in white wine.
(24 August 1997)
Amend, Discuss, Correct Medieval banquets were spectacular occasions announced with trumpets. The host and chief guests sat at the high table and washed their hands in basins of water scented with rose petals. Lesser guests sat, according to rank, at tables down the hall.
(24 August 1997)
Amend, Discuss, Correct The medieval noble did not regard fruit and vegetables as proper food, so meat was the staple at his table, and was served in astonishing quantity. Nobles drank fine wines, and lesser guests drank beer or cider.
(24 August 1997)
Amend, Discuss, Correct
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