7 C-REEPY AND D-ISGUSTING things YOU DIDN'T KNOW in the MIDDLE AGES

Beneath the surface of medieval life lay a host of creepy and disgusting practices that would make modern individuals shudder. Here are seven disturbing aspects of life in the Middle Ages that reveal the era's darker side.

1. Filthy Living Conditions

Medieval cities were notorious for their squalor. Streets were often filled with human and animal waste, as sanitation systems were primitive or non-existent. People threw their waste out of windows, creating an environment ripe for disease and pestilence.

2. Disease and Plagues

The Middle Ages were ravaged by frequent outbreaks of deadly diseases, most notably the Black Death, which wiped out an estimated one-third of Europe's population. Poor hygiene and lack of medical knowledge meant diseases spread rapidly, leaving death and devastation in their wake.

3. Superstitions and Witch Hunts

Medieval society was steeped in superstitions and a deep-seated fear of witchcraft. Women, especially those who were elderly, single, or otherwise marginalized, were often accused of being witches. These accusations led to brutal interrogations, tortures, and executions.

4. Brutal Punishments and Tortures

Justice in the Middle Ages was often harsh and public. Punishments for crimes included gruesome methods like flogging, mutilation, and execution. Torture devices such as the rack, the iron maiden, and the wheel were used to extract confessions and punish offenders in ways that are horrifying to modern sensibilities.

5. Lack of Medical Knowledge

Medical practices in the Middle Ages were rudimentary and often harmful. Treatments included bloodletting, the use of leeches, and bizarre concoctions of herbs and animal parts. Surgeries were performed without anesthesia, leading to excruciating pain and high mortality rates.

6. Malnutrition and Famine

Food scarcity was a constant threat in the Middle Ages. Crop failures, wars, and poor agricultural practices often led to famines. The poor subsisted on a meager diet of bread and porridge, while malnutrition was widespread, weakening the population's resilience to diseases.