10 Bizarre Medieval Medical Practices Creepy Medicine is one of the cornerstones of modern civilization—so much so that we take it for granted. It wasn’t always the case that you could just waltz into a doctor’s office to have them cure what ailed you. In medieval times, for example, things were a lot more dangerous, and a lot stranger. 10 Boar Bile Enemas Enemas in medieval times were performed by devices called clysters. Even kings were high up on the clyster. 9 Urine Was Used As An Antiseptic Though it may not have been common, there is evidence to suggest that urine was occasionally used as an antiseptic in the Medieval Era. This isn’t quite as insane as it seems: urine is sterile when it leaves the body and may have been a healthier alternative than most water—which came with no such guarantee of cleanliness. 8 Eye Surgery (With A Needle) During the Middle Ages, cataract surgery was performed with a thick needle. Of course, eye surgery changed rapidly once Islamic medicine began to influence European practices. 4 Trepanning
Witch on the Go: A Book of Spells to Take With You - Cal Garrison 10 Weirdest and Most Shocking Religious Superstitious Beliefs In certain parts of the world, women were not allowed to eat eggs otherwise they would become barren. Boys and young men were also not allowed to cook because cooking was womanly. If a young man cooked, he risked being the inferior to his wife when he eventually got married. These superstitions exist everywhere and some are still obeyed like laws. But it seems our superstitious beliefs were far too kind. 1. It is believed that bird poop can get you riches as long as it gets on your car or clothing directly from the heavens. 2. In the past, weddings weren’t just weddings. 3. Yes, if you woke up and on stepping out the first thing you meet is a black cat; expect a day to forget. 4. There was this popular belief that owls howling directly over your house or within your home in the middle of the night could bring very bad luck, sometimes even death. 5. 6. 7. 8. You should never enter the house through the window whether or not the house belongs to you or else you’d become a thief. 9. 10.
12 Grapes At Midnight: Spain’s Great New Year’s Eve Tradition, And Superstition Eating 12 grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve is both a tradition and a superstition in Spain. Rare is the Spaniard who will risk poisoning their fate for the coming year by skipping the grapes, one for each stroke of midnight. Americans may giddily greet the New Year downing a glass of champagne and grabbing a kiss at the drop of the ball. But the first 12 seconds of the Spaniards’ New Year are somewhat quieter and more intense, as everyone focuses on eating all 12 of the “miraculous grapes” that symbolize 12 lucky months ahead. Eating the grapes pretty much guarantees starting off the year with a little adrenaline rush, and most likely some laughs. While the goal of getting the 12 grapes down in time can spark a contest of who is más macho around the table, the biggest challenge is more likely to be not gagging as you cram them in your mouth and try to swallow while laughing hysterically.
Flower and Tree Magic: Discover the Natural Enchantment Around You - Richard Webster Superstitions Superstitions are based on beliefs, not facts, but we pay attention to them – just in case. Writer Bruce Kahn lays out the common and obscure beliefs from around the world. Text: Bruce Kahn Country: USA o you think walking under a ladder or opening an umbrella indoors gives you bad luck? Does finding a penny or having a horseshoe bring you good luck? I don’t really believe in superstitions and yet I will go out of my way to avoid walking under a ladder. Superstitions are beliefs or practices for which there is no rational or reasonable explanation. Superstitions are associated with both good and bad luck. Some cultures have attached special meaning to numbers. ● 13: The fear of the number 13, called triskaidekaphobia, is a common superstition in North America. ● 4: In China, the pronunciation of the word for the number 4 is similar to that of the Chinese word for death. ● 666: Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia means fear of the number 666. Here are some other popular superstitions.
Perforated Skulls From Middle Ages Found in Spain - History in the Headlines Two skulls with bore holes have been unearthed from a medieval cemetery in Spain. The individuals are thought to have undergone trepanation, an ancient brain surgery technique performed for both medical and ritualistic reasons since prehistoric times. Researchers believe one of the “patients” survived for quite awhile after experiencing the procedure. The oldest form of neurosurgery known to archaeologists, trepanation involves the removal of part of the skull with a sharp instrument in order to expose the brain. Its history stretches back to prehistoric times. While physicians believed the operation could alleviate migraines, epilepsy, swelling and other brain disorders, it may have carried cultural rather than medical significance in certain societies. “As of the Bronze Age, cases of trepanation are common throughout Europe, mainly in the Mediterranean Basin,” said Belén López Martínez of the University of Oviedo, coauthor of a new paper on two trepanned skulls exhumed in Spain.
The King of the Forest...The Great Oak! - 5 orange potatoes We have twin oak trees in our front yard that my parents planted when I was 8 years old; wow, was that really 30 years ago? They were just sticks when they were planted and now they tower over our house! These beautiful trees inspire me in so many ways! Did you know that if you wear or carry an acorn in your pocket it brings you good luck? They are symbols of immortality, protection, healing, fertility, strength, wisdom, money and longevity. Acorns placed in the window keep your home safe from harm and from being struck by lightning. Also, did you know that if you catch a falling oak leaf you will be free from colds all winter? Knowing this inspired me to make little acorn pendants and oak leaf hair pins for my family and friends.
Common Superstitions at WomansDay.com - History of Superstitions It makes sense that you shouldn't walk under a ladder for safety's sake, but superstition advises against it for other reasons. First, an open ladder forms a triangle, and triangles were once considered a symbol of life, so walking through that shape was considered tempting your fate. It is also thought that because it has three sides, the triangle symbolizes the Holy Trinity, and "breaking" it by entering the triangle is bad luck. Photo by iStockphoto. 5. Throwing Salt over Your Shoulder The belief that you should toss a pinch of salt over your left shoulder to get rid of bad luck originates from the legend that the devil is always standing behind you, so throwing salt in his eye will distract him from causing trouble. 6. According to superstition, bad luck will "rain" on you if you open an umbrella indoors. 7. Considered a polite response to a sneeze, the phrase "God bless you" is attributed to Pope Gregory the Great, who said it to people who sneezed during a bubonic plague. 8. 9.
Medieval Life 106 – Spinsters and Spinners — Knights of the Pain Table Spinsters and Spinners Wilcume dear Knights and all ye visitors to Camelot. On this day we shall learn about the great spinners and spinsters of Camelot. In Medieval times the people mostly wore simple clothes made of wool. The peasants would often shear their own sheep and then wash the fleece. Women who spin yarn are spinsters and men who spin yarn are known as spinners. Under one arm, the spinster would first wind a mass of the fluffy woolen fleece around the distaff, which was a wooden rod with a forked end. Spinster spinning flax using a drop spindle and distaff 15th c. Later on in the Middle Ages spinning wheels began to replace distaffs and spindles. Besides wool, spinsters could spin flax (which produces linen), hemp or ramie (stinging nettle fibers). The word "spinster" comes from the Middle English, "spinnestere", a woman who spins, 1325–75. Thou art a fine student. Your Teacher, Merlin University of Camelot (U of C) Read more Medieval Life
Medieval Jobs © 1995-2011 Lise Hull One would expect the Middle Ages to have been a simple time, with few truly distinctive occupations, save the lord of the manor, his knights, his household, and the peasants. But, the complexity of the medieval working world is startling. Yes, the above are typical occupations of the age, but within these broad classifications we can define an incredible array of other occupations. True, medieval jobs were not all fulfilling or stepping stones to success and status, as we envision the knight's position in the lord's court. However, each occupation filled a crucial place in the social system of the Middle Ages, ensuring virtually every imaginable need could be handled by an individual with the proper training or know-how. Basically, society was divided between two classes, positions of status and positions that were not. As villages developed alongside the castle, occupations began to differentiate during the Middle Ages. Almoners: ensured the poor received alms.
File:Hieronymus Bosch 053 detail.jpg Medieval Jobs - Feudal System Acrobat: Popular entertainer. Armorer: Made and fitted armor. Apothacary: Is like a doctor. Artist: Made designs on furniture, but then started to do portraits. Astrologer: Studied the stars and planets. Atilliator: Made crossbows for the artillery. Bailiff: Mannaged the castle farm or estate. Baker: Made bread and were employed by the nobles. Barber: Cut hair and acted as a dentist, surgeon, and blood-letter. Blacksmith: Forged weapons, sharpened weapons, and repaired armor. Bottler: Bottled and stored wines and other expensive provisions. Butler: Was in charge of big mugs of beer; he was in charge of the cellar. Bower: Made bows, arrows, and crossbows. Candlemaker: Made candles to light the castle. Carpenter: Carpenters built furniture, roofing, and wood panelling. Castellan: Was a janitor in the castle. Chamberlain: Was an officer that was responsible for the chamber and the king's budget. Chancellor: Was a secretary to a noble person. Chaplain: Clerk: Kept accounts. Clothier: Made clothes for nobles. Constable: Cook: Page: