News Item
Bonfire Night and 17th Century Hygiene
Remember, remember, the 5th of November… You know how the famous poem commemorating Guy Fawkes’ unsuccessful attempt to blow up Parliament on 5 November 1605 goes.
To celebrate the occasion, we thought we would share some cleaning-theme, little-known facts about 17th Century life with you…
Most people, except the very rich, didn’t use soap until about the second half of the 19th Century.
Perfume was commonly used to disguise stink. Madame de Montespan (a mistress of Louis XIV) swathed herself in perfume to disguise the king’s haliotosis.
Animals commonly shared the homes of poorer people – dogs, cows, pigs and more.
Beds were often shared with family members, work colleagues and even strangers. As for clean linen? Forget it.
Guy Fawkes’ target, King James VI and I, is thought to have only ever washed his fingers. Baths and immersion in water were viewed as very dangerous because they were though to open the pores and thus “maketh the venomous ayre to enter” the body.
Stay safe on 5 November, and if you would prefer to keep your house cleaner than 17th Century inhabitants, then check out the wonderful Maid Simple products here.
Back to the News? Click Here
