Did Medieval People Take Baths?

Getty medievalist Larisa Grollemond weighs in on the hygiene habits of the Middle Ages

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Ancient Life

A medieval illumination of a nude woman in a bath watched by a standing man — *David and Bathsheba*, about 1400–1410, Austrian. Tempera colors, gold, silver paint, and ink, 13 3/16 × 9 1/4 in. Getty Museum, Ms. 33, fol. 191v, 88.MP.70.191v

By Larisa Grollemond, Sarah Waldorf

Nov 22, 2022

The idea that medieval people never bathed? Time to leave that myth in, well, the Dark Ages.

A medieval illumination of a man bathing in a tub under a tree surrounded by several attendants — Great Heidelberg Song Manuscript, 1300–1340, German. Parchment, 14in. x 10in. Heidelberg University

Medieval folks loved a bath, though it was a little more work than it is today with the marvels of modern plumbing.

Laborers, who made up most of the population, probably used ewers and shallow washbasins. Castle dwellers might have access to a wooden tub, with water heated by a fire.

A medieval illumination. A woman lies in bed while someone attends her. In the foreground two women bathe a baby — The Nativity of the Virgin, 1544, France. Tempera colors, gold paint, and ink, 5 5/8 × 3 3/16 in. Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig IX 20 (83.ML.116), fol. 101v

And yes, they used soap—in fact, soap was often made at home and widely available as a trade good as early as the 9th century in Europe.

It was made of animal fat and wood ash, and sometimes scented with fresh herbs like sage and thyme. Bathing was often a community activity. Public bathhouses were frequented by those without the means to bathe at home. They also occasionally functioned as brothels.

On the right of the illumination, several naked people bathe in a row of tubs. On the left, a bard plays a tune — Scene of a bathhouse, c. 1470, Master of Anthony of Burgundy. Berlin Staatsbibliothek, Ms. Dep. Breslau 2, vol. 2, fol. 244

Communal bath-time feasting appears to have also been a thing, especially at bathhouses.

Some medieval sources even warn against “excessive” bathing, but that was more a commentary on the potential sinful temptations that awaited at the public bathhouse than on cleanliness itself. So consider this medieval myth…washed up!