People's Health

Question 1

Living conditions in medieval Britain: Housing, diet, water and waste

Answer 1

1. In the countryside, peasants lived in houses with timber frames and a fire in the middle to allow them to cook and preserve food. The fire escaped though the thatched roof. In towns, houses were built close together in the centre of towns with only the wealthy having gardens. People were supposed to clean the drains and street near their houses, but not everyone bothered
2. In towns, conduits were lead pipes which brought spring water to some towns. Water sellers also sold water from leather sacks. There were public latrines in market squares with rakers paid to clean the streets from 1293 in London due to the unsanitary streets after market days. Cesspits were cleared by gongfermers which were used in fields. In the country, waste heaps were in the garden with some cesspits constructed near the village
3. In the countryside, people had relied heavily on the harvest. Bad harvests caused famine. Their diet was very healthy, consisting of fruit and vegetables grown from the garden, bread and pottage (vegetable soup). Sometimes they caught fish in the rivers providing lots of nutrients and drank lots of water. The bread was rye, with wet years leading to a fungus causing illness and death. In towns, rich people at lots of meat, causing an unhealthy and unbalanced diet

Question 2

Responses to the Black Death

Answer 2

1. The Black Death began in Asia and spread to Europe along trade routes. By the end of 1349, it had reached the far north of England, Wales and Ireland. It was spread by fleas on rats but the people did not know this
2. They believed that the Black Death was God punishing the people for their sins. During this time, the church encouraged people to confess their sins and ask for forgiveness. Some people whipped themselves, hoping for God’s forgiveness. Other people though it was caused by miasma and burned rosemary to purify the air in their houses. The rich moved to the countryside to try and find pure air. Some people shut themselves away in their own houses