Debunked: 5 Myths About Medieval Europe

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
The popular perception of life in feudal Europe (exacerbated by Hollywood depictions) is that it was prudish, brutish, and excessively foul, but society was far more advanced than these stereotypes would have us believe. Here, we shine a light on five of the most persistent myths surrounding Europe’s so-called “Dark Ages.”

While I agree with all five (with certain caveats) they paint a slightly Utopian slant. The Knights we think of did exist, just not in Western Europe. They were actually over in Persia. The Peasants had more than 180 Religious Holidays (Days Off) but they worked their butts off for Planting and harvesting. Running out of food before harvest, was a common experience.
Medical and sanitary conditions were horrendous. Disease was rampant and Thirty and some change was an old man.
And sex, well heck, there weren't even bedrooms until the Chimney was invented. So all the bodily functions were usually done in the site of others. Clothes were both hard to make, and hard to keep. If you were poor, just like today, life sucked.
The Manor Lord was the law, and you could get killed or maimed in the hundreds of turf wars between Lords, never mind what the King would do.
Oh, and those Religious Holidays? Yeah, well the Medieval Church controlled your life. The Local Bishop was usually the Richest guy around, and depending on his kinks, your life could be made a living hell. And they all believed in Hell. Being Excommunitcated was a very powerful tool for the Power brokers to wield.
So yeah, it wasn't as bad as we sometimes portray, but it wasn't any walk in the Park. And there are very few modern experiences that come close.

Oh, and Education was for the Rich. Period. Public Schools were a modern invention. Most peasants could not read, nor were there many "books". A rich person might have a dozen books. As for the "World is flat", only the Highly educated thought it might be round. The Greeks thought it was round a thousand years earlier. But folks were mostly ignorant. Most never left their villages - except to fight in wars. So yeah, it still wasn't a pretty place.