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Related
Web Sites Wharram Percy
Take a tour of this lost medieval village, read about the
homes, and view drawings of living quarters.
Regia
Anglorum
This site includes several articles on houses and home
life in the Middle Ages.
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Homes of the
Wealthy
The homes of the rich were more elaborate than the
peasants' homes. Their floors were paved, as opposed to
being strewn with rushes and herbs, and sometimes
decorated with tiles. Tapestries were hung on the walls,
providing not only decoration but also an extra layer of
warmth. Fenestral windows, with lattice frames that were
covered in a fabric soaked in resin and tallow, allowed
in light, kept out drafts, and could be removed in good
weather. Only the wealthy could afford panes of glass;
sometimes only churches and royal residences had glass
windows. The
Kitchen
In simpler homes where there were no chimneys, the
medieval kitchen consisted of a stone hearth in the
center of the room. This was not only where the cooking
took place, but also the source of central heating. In
peasant families, the wife did the cooking and baking.
The peasant diet consisted of breads, vegetables from
their own gardens, dairy products from their own sheep,
goats, and cows, and pork from their own livestock. Often
the true taste of their meat, salted and used throughout
the year, was masked by the addition of herbs, leftover
breads, and vegetables. Some vegetables, such as
cabbages, leeks, and onions became known as
"pot-herbs." This pottage was a staple of the
peasant diet.
The kitchens of manor houses and castles had big
fireplaces where meat, even large oxen, could be roasted
on spits. These kitchens were usually in separate
buildings, to minimize the threat of fire. Pantries were
hung with birds and beasts, including swans, blackbirds,
ducks, pigeons, rabbits, mutton, venison, and wild boar.
Many of these animals were caught on hunts.
Garbage and
Disposal
Current archaeological studies of sewage and rubbish
pits contribute to our understanding of what medieval
people ate. One of the most informative pits was found in
Southampton, England. This pit belonged to a prominent
merchant. It contained the remains of berries, fruits,
and nuts, as well as pottery, glass, and fabrics,
including silk, from Europe and the Near East. It also
contained the remains of a Barbary ape. Documents found
at the site describe the family's consumption of meat,
use of pewter utensils, and love of music. Evidence that
butchery took place during this time was also found in
these documents.
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