Debunking the Medieval Water Myth: Historical Evidence Shows Water Was Widely Consumed
By
apsec112
The bagel they save for the regulars. Don't skim, savour.
Summary
This article debunks the common myth that medieval people avoided drinking water and primarily consumed alcohol instead. Drawing from historical sources and academic research, it demonstrates that water was widely consumed throughout the medieval period, with people only avoiding it when it appeared obviously contaminated. The article cites Paolo Squatriti's research showing that medieval Europeans actively sought pure water sources and used various methods to test water quality, contrary to popular misconceptions about medieval drinking habits.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledNot only are there specific – and very casual – mentions of people drinking water all through the Medieval era, but there seems to be no evidence that they thought of it as unhealthy except when (as today) it overtly appeared so.
Doctors had slightly more nuanced views, but certainly neither recommended against drinking water in general nor using alcohol to avoid it.
Once they had ascertained that it was pure (clear, without odor, and good-tasting), early medieval people drank water frequently and happily.
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